Have you made any decisions?

[IUgrad]

For those of us lucky enough to have with multiple acceptances, and with the deposit dates looming (is it Dec. 14th everywhere?), have you made any decisions yet? Just curious... If you're interested, I thought maybe we could talk it out with each other, since we're all going through the same.

My family and friends mean well (God love 'em) but I don't think they understand my craziness in trying to decide. It's all I've been thinking about these past two weeks. I've gone through two different spreadsheets multiple times using a variety of criteria and every time I think I've committed, I change my mind. There are some things that I really LOVE (and think I can't live without) about each school.

One of the main things that I am worried about is being required to move for 3rd/4th year rotations. From what I've gathered, it seems like more of a possibility at DMU than KCUMB and UNE, although I could be wrong about this. If I choose KCUMB, I am considering the DO/MBA degree, which, if accepted, would mean that I would stay in KC for 3rd year. At UNE, the students I spoke to said that pretty much everyone gets the rotations they want, so if I want to stay near Biddeford, it is pretty likely that I can. However, at DMU it seems like a lot of people who want to stay in DMU are sent elsewhere.

Tuition, although pretty close across the board, is a consideration, too. UNE is $41,000 compared to $32,000 at DMU. That adds up fast. Also, the cost of living is a lot higher in New England. However, my fiancé's family is in/around Boston, and we think we'd like to live in N.E. someday. And, wouldn't it be so great to have a strong support system just an hour away? I worry about him when I think about moving to a new area where we don't know anyone at all. He's very social, and I think he would get lonely/bored fast with me gone all the time at school. If his old friends and his family were nearby, I feel like that would help a lot.

So, location is a big consideration, too. Having lived in somewhat-rural Indiana all my life, big bad KC makes me a little nervous. That is my big reservation about KCUMB. Also, I'm lacking two prereqs that would be very difficult for me to work in, since I am teaching four courses at C.C. next semester while still working my full-time job (no way around this – I need the money to take care of some things before school next fall).

Also, I think I want to specialize in peds gastro, so I want to choose a school that has a history of churning out specialists. (I know that your residency is all you, but I think that it has some advantage if your school has a reputation of producing specialists; if nothing else, they might have a relationship with some of the programs?) DMU and KCUMB seem like they fit this criteria a little more than UNE.

So, yeah, I don't want to bore you any longer but those are just a few of the things I'm trying to reconcile. I thought this might be a nice change of topic from the "Why DO?" threads, if you want to join in the discussion. What schools are you deciding among?

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[EEL08]

To be completely honest, it almost sounds like it would just be a choice between UNE and DMU. With that schedule in the spring it just wouldn't be possible to also take two more classes.

 

[IUgrad]

To be completely honest, it almost sounds like it would just be a choice between UNE and DMU. With that schedule in the spring it just wouldn't be possible to also take two more classes.

Right, I would have to take them online if I did (if that's even acceptable). Actually, I need biochem for UNE, too, but it is offered online through the school.

Thanks for your help. How are things going for you this cycle?

 

[TexasTriathlete]

Biochem is such a great class.

 

[EEL08]

Right, I would have to take them online if I did (if that's even acceptable). Actually, I need biochem for UNE, too, but it is offered online through the school.

Thanks for your help. How are things going for you this cycle?

Next semester you're teaching 4 classes and working full-time right? So the teaching is not your full-time job? It just seems that adding two classes would be so much. Online classes are definitely great! I'm taking Genetics online right now and if I end up taking Biochem next semester it would most likely be with UNE. Whenever someone is deciding between schools I know which one I would choose but it's different for everyone. So in other words what I'm saying is that I'm no help. Whatever you end up doing try your best to at least get in some time of fun and relaxation before med school starts.

So far I have one interview at DCOM. I am just getting complete at my schools this week. My husband has an LECOM-Erie interview and DCOM. It's really hard doing this with both of us because we have to figure out interviews and if one of us gets rejected from a school and the other one gets an interview. Oh and thinking about if/when each of us has to pay deposits is another thing. The logistics are just going to be interesting if either of us gets more interviews.

 

[orchid07]

=

 

[doinmybest5840]

Hey OP, sounds like a pretty tough decision. I'm currently deciding between two schools as well, NSU and AZCOM. Right now I'm leaning toward NSU, based on a number of factors. This is my list so far (in no particular order) of what I'm trying to base my decision on and who I feel is winning haha:

Reputation - NSU
How long has the school been around? - NSU
Weather - tie
Rotations - NSU
Facilities - close but NSU edges by
Price - NSU
Attendance policy - AZCOM
Board pass rates - AZCOM by only 1-3% I think
Resources - NSU
Distance/willingness of family to visit - NSU
Dress code - AZCOM
Local scene - NSU
Support system - NSU

Anyway, I don't know if this helps at all, but maybe I've listed something you haven't considered yet. Good luck making your decision!

 

[IUgrad]

Next semester you're teaching 4 classes and working full-time right? So the teaching is not your full-time job? It just seems that adding two classes would be so much. Online classes are definitely great! I'm taking Genetics online right now and if I end up taking Biochem next semester it would most likely be with UNE. Whenever someone is deciding between schools I know which one I would choose but it's different for everyone. So in other words what I'm saying is that I'm no help. Whatever you end up doing try your best to at least get in some time of fun and relaxation before med school starts.

So far I have one interview at DCOM. I am just getting complete at my schools this week. My husband has an LECOM-Erie interview and DCOM. It's really hard doing this with both of us because we have to figure out interviews and if one of us gets rejected from a school and the other one gets an interview. Oh and thinking about if/when each of us has to pay deposits is another thing. The logistics are just going to be interesting if either of us gets more interviews.

Yes, I will be both teaching and doing my regular job, but I should add that my regular job is an office job and not difficult at all, and I can get homework done sometimes when it's slow. I was at my job while I took the prereqs and made it work somehow, so I'm hoping if push comes to shove I can again, although it's not the ideal situation. I agree that it is hard to have some R&R before school starts when we're stressed out with applications!

That's great that you and your husband are going through this process together. However, I'm sure it's really difficult in terms of logistics and planning. At least you have the DCOM interview in common -- is it high on your lists?

Wow, when you do get it worked out, what a great situation that will be because you get to share in the medical school experience with someone you love, you'll have a built-in study partner, someone to complain to who really understands, etc.

Good luck to both of you on your upcoming interviews!

 

[IUgrad]

I have struggled with this as well. Mostly because my top choice threw me on the alternate list. Which was completely unexpected! So if at anytime they decide to accept me i will be attending ccom. Otherwise i have decided on DMU for several reasons: driving distance from home, great residencies, a lot of students specialize, schools in a nice neighborhood, students seemed really happy, amazing facilities, and overall have heard so many good things about the school. I also like that i would def be able to do 4th yr rotations back home. I dont mind the randomness of the 3rd year. My other choice was nova, which was great too but i could not stand the heat and humidity and didnt really like that mostly everyone does primary. (i want to have my options open). Was also accepted at lecom erie and hated it, so thats a no go. I cancelled my other 5 interviews and am pretty happy to be semi-finished with this whole process. I am still waiting on some md schools so ya never know. But i do agree, its hard to say you wanna go one place for sure, i keep trying to figure out if this is my final decision. Either way.. got a few more weeks to decide.

I'm sorry that CCOM put you on the alternate list -- that sucks. But, it's still early and a lot can change between now and July. Have you tried calling admissions to see if you can improve any aspects of your application between now and then? Maybe if you show them that you are making an effort and demonstrate how much you want to go there... I don't know; I've been told that helps sometimes.

DMU is a great choice. We loved it, too. My fiancé loved the area (since he can't go on interviews, that is what he bases his decision on ), the real estate and rent seems reasonably priced. And, the technology and facilities! I was so impressed with these, as well as the things you mentioned.

Nova was on my initial list of schools but after I got some interviews I didn't send about 10 secondaries back. My brother lives in Florida, so it would have been nice to be close to him. While it's a great school, I wasn't crazy about NSU either just because of the high cost of living of the area and the heat.

I agree with what you said -- it's the finality of it -- saying "this is where I am going for sure" and dropping all those other precious acceptances. That is what I'm having a hard time with, too.

 

[IUgrad]

Hey OP, sounds like a pretty tough decision. I'm currently deciding between two schools as well, NSU and AZCOM. Right now I'm leaning toward NSU, based on a number of factors. This is my list so far (in no particular order) of what I'm trying to base my decision on and who I feel is winning haha:

Reputation - NSU
How long has the school been around? - NSU
Weather - tie
Rotations - NSU
Facilities - close but NSU edges by
Price - NSU
Attendance policy - AZCOM
Board pass rates - AZCOM by only 1-3% I think
Resources - NSU
Distance/willingness of family to visit - NSU
Dress code - AZCOM
Local scene - NSU
Support system - NSU

Anyway, I don't know if this helps at all, but maybe I've listed something you haven't considered yet. Good luck making your decision!

Those are good! I didn't think of separating location into weather and local scene -- good idea. I need to add attendance policy to mine, too.

My initial cateorgies (under each school I add comments then weight and rate) are location, rotations (quality of/do I have to move), match list/board passage rates, tuition, reputation, dual degree opportunities, larger school environment (affiliated with larger university?), curriculum, student organizations/community activities/volunteer opportunities, positive intangibles (where I group everything that didn't fit into categories above), and negative intangibles. It is pretty close between the three schools with this list.

Good luck deciding; they are both good schools! Although you may be done deciding, since it does seem like NSU is ahead by your list.

 

[Jpc984]

How do you guys objectively make a list? I have a top choice in mind and I will probably make the categories lean towards that one? I think even if one school wins more categories I won't be objective? I'm just wondering if you guys are biased too!

 

[doinmybest5840]

Those are good! I didn't think of separating location into weather and local scene -- good idea. I need to add attendance policy to mine, too.

My initial cateorgies (under each school I add comments then weight and rate) are location, rotations (quality of/do I have to move), match list/board passage rates, tuition, reputation, dual degree opportunities, larger school environment (affiliated with larger university?), curriculum, student organizations/community activities/volunteer opportunities, positive intangibles (where I group everything that didn't fit into categories above), and negative intangibles. It is pretty close between the three schools with this list.

Good luck deciding; they are both good schools! Although you may be done deciding, since it does seem like NSU is ahead by your list.

Thanks! Good luck to you as well. Yeah, NSU is winning at the moment, which is funny, because I was not really interested in it at all when I originally went to the interview.

 

[doinmybest5840]

How do you guys objectively make a list? I have a top choice in mind and I will probably make the categories lean towards that one? I think even if one school wins more categories I won't be objective? I'm just wondering if you guys are biased too!

After each interview, I made pros and cons about each individual school. Then when I heard back about acceptances/waitlists/etc., I compared my pros and cons to see which school "won" each category. So it's a bit biased, but of course that's going to happen.

 

[Tanner82]

I'm between CCOM, UNECOM, and NYCOM (if I get accepted, interview nxt week). So at this point it's between CCOM and UNECOM.... probably leaning toward CCOM, although it is alot further from NY than maine and the COL is alot more... it is a really great school... still contemplating tho

 

[IUgrad]

I'm between CCOM, UNECOM, and NYCOM (if I get accepted, interview nxt week). So at this point it's between CCOM and UNECOM.... probably leaning toward CCOM, although it is alot further from NY than maine and the COL is alot more... it is a really great school... still contemplating tho

Yeah, that's a tough decision. What did you like better about CCOM that causes you to lean that way? Just curious...

Good luck on your NYCOM interview! Are you going to try to wait for them (if you can) before sending in deposits?

 

[Playmakur42]

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[Saregamapadanis]

I am deciding between Kcumb and nycom- I got an interview next week in nycom , hopefully i will get in... we will see.

But This choosing process is very subjective, I don't think there is a big difference between either of these two schools. Except maybe in nycom - the class size is 300 and in kcumb, the class size is 250.

 

[Beau Geste]

Possibly, just possibly, I might have a choice between CCOM and SIU.

I am waiting for my SIU interview to be scheduled so as of now it's an easy decision for CCOM!

 

[avandreel]

i just got my acceptance to DMU, which i think looks very nice sitting next to my CCOM acceptance (both were my top two schools the entire app cycle). i loved both schools, but i think i am probably going to end up at CCOM... very hard decision though.

 

[Playmakur42]

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[Beau Geste]

What school does STFU cat want you to go to?

Hmmm.... Either one I think - he'll be living with me regardless


Whoa........

 

[ViolinCello]

When you had your interview, did they mention what the amount of student debt was for CCOM grads? they said to us it was in the order of 160,000. It didn't add up to me and a couple other people b/c at 42K/year, that doesn't even cover the COL? What was your feedback on it. I know everyone says to not worry about the money, but honestly, I'm not 21, and by the time I finish, I will probably only have 20 good years of work ahead of me. Do you ever think of that? I loved the fact that it was in Chicago, near all kinda of other allopathic schools-which is important to me since I know I have to go allo for what I want to do. It's such a hard decision to make.

 

[IUgrad]

Hey,
I'm deciding between PCOM & UNECOM. I'm leaning towards PCOM, but UNECOM is in a such a nice, clean, low cost of living area that it's hard to pass up.....until you look at their tuition cost.

I see a few others here are comparing UNECOM against some of the bigger schools, so I feel your pain!

I know -- that is really the only thing that I didn't like about UNECOM. I can go for four years at DMU for what it costs for 3 at UNE. Was PCOM a lot cheaper, too?

 

[IUgrad]

Possibly, just possibly, I might have a choice between CCOM and SIU.

I am waiting for my SIU interview to be scheduled so as of now it's an easy decision for CCOM!

That would be a difficult choice. You went to undergrad at SIU, right? (I thought I remembered you saying that once...)

Do you think you will have your SIU interview before your CCOM deposit is due? It's so hard planning out the interviews/deposit timing so you're not out a lot of money. If I hear from IU this month (very doubtful), I might have an even harder decision to make...

 

[IUgrad]

I am deciding between Kcumb and nycom- I got an interview next week in nycom , hopefully i will get in... we will see.

But This choosing process is very subjective, I don't think there is a big difference between either of these two schools. Except maybe in nycom - the class size is 300 and in kcumb, the class size is 250.

Good luck at your NYCOM interview! Have you already been accepted to KCUMB?

i just got my acceptance to DMU, which i think looks very nice sitting next to my CCOM acceptance (both were my top two schools the entire app cycle). i loved both schools, but i think i am probably going to end up at CCOM... very hard decision though.

Congratulations on your acceptances! What factors caused you to lean toward CCOM over DMU? Just curious... FWIW, I shadowed a DO (who was also my physician years ago) who went to CCOM, and she loved it there. I think they're both good schools, and you can't go wrong with either.

 

[Saregamapadanis]

Good luck at your NYCOM interview! Have you already been accepted to KCUMB?

Yes, I have been accepted into KCUMB. Its a good school, probably my first choice, but I don't know- nycom is much closer to Home, so I am debating the issue.