help/advice NYCOM vs LECOM

[vvanguelova]

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I have been accepted into both NYCOM and LECOM, but I do not know which one to choose. I like both and there are pros and cons for each one that are equal in weight. Can any one point me into a place - webpage or other, where I can find enough info on both schools so I can make decision. Any coments or suggestions are wellcomed.

 

[njdesi]

OceandocDO : where are you???!!! You can give a wonderful rundown of why NYCOM is a great place to be! You couldnt pay me to be in LECOM!

 

[sddoc]

NJDESI -

No offense, but you couldn't pay me to be anywhere else but LECOM. The professors are great, and after the first year, I feel extremely prepared to enter the clinical realm this fall.

Vvanguelova - The clinical opportunities at LECOM are great. Dress code can be annoying at times, but you get used to it. If you have questions about the school, private message me, and I will try to answer them for you.

Good luck with your decision!😎

 

[pafbdoc]

vvanguelova...

I interviewed at lecom this year and withdrew my application the following week because I got into NYCOM. I have a bunch of family in the medical field, including an MD father, and he really pushed me to nycom. He's worked with a few of their recent graduates and he's been impressed. I know LECOM has some nice facilities, but I could never spend a winter up there. "Dreary Erie, the mistake on the lake" didnt come from nowhere. Sorry native folks of Erie, but it was one of your fellow LECOMers who originally told me that. Plus they're a bit of a young school and their philosophy of independent learning scares me. I think they also have 2 other curricula tracks, but why not pick one and go with it? Maybe it offers more choices, but to me it would offer less organization. None-the-less, I cant say I've ever heard anything bad about their faculty.

Anyway, I chose nycom over a pair of MD schools too. My dad's new partner is a nycom grad from the mid-90s, an orthopedic surgeon, and he uses OMM alot on his surgical patients and they love it. The guy also makes a bundle because he can officially bill for it. I've heard the first two years at nycom are on par with other schools, but it's the rotations that set them apart. There's some great hospitals in their affiliated umbrella. Their match list this year was astounding also. I also heard their dean talk, Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee and she impressed me very much. (Diana Ross's sister too, although she didnt mention that.... damn, successful family!) Hehe.... anyway, the only things that turned me off were the price and the housing shortage that people complain about in long island. But, NY is a pretty interesting place to learn medicine from what I hear. If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere, so the song goes 🙂 I was hesitant also looking at their class size, but I talked to some students and it doesnt seem to be much of an issue as they break the class down into smaller groups for the more "intimate" courses. I've always been the self-motivated type anyway and I'm coming from a big Univ. You hear they also paid for 150 students to go to a conference in Vegas last year? Hope they do that again. Sign me up.

Good luck with your decision. Hope to see you in August.

 

[sddoc]

Actually, LECOM's PBL pathway has worked so well that they are opening a branch medical school in Florida that will be exclusively PBL. To my knowledge, there aren't many DO schools that have performed well enough to open branch campuses. Another consideration is that with their early clinical training and experience, PBL students rotating in major Philadelphia hospitals are consistently outperforming students from other DO and MD schools rotating at the same hospitals.

I chose LECOM because it is only 10 years old. They have something to prove, and they aren't going to accept you if they don't think that you will represent the school in a positive way. Along the same lines, they demand a lot out of you, as they are trying to establish their reputation and distinguish themselves from the myriad of other schools.

Also, you really only need to stay in Erie for the first 2 years of school. They have rotation sites in NY, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Indiana, Michigan, and Florida. At this time, there are over 60 rotation sites, with more being added on each year.

What it really comes down to is, where did you feel that you fit in the best? Which school suited your learning style, and where did you feel the most comfortable? In the end, how you feel about the atmosphere of the school will have a huge impact on your medical school experience!
😉 😉

 

[Docgeorge]

If you have a choice don't go to Erie. I interviewed at Erie and got in. Luckily I got in elsewhere. I wouldn?t touch that place with a ten-foot pole. I have first hand knowledge form Profs who teach there and they are not happy. To give you a quote from the prof's (met through mutual friend) "They (the Ferretti's) run this place like their own fiefdom" and this one, "If you were to look up narcissism in the DSMV you would find the Ferretti's fit 10 out of the 12 criteria".
While I was there for the interview, it felt stifled and over controlled. Everyone in my interview group felt that if we had choice we would go elsewhere. I was also told that when one class was asked for donations to the school after graduation, they returned the 35 cents it took to mail them the request and asked that they not be solicited again. Mind you this was not just 1 or 2 people but a majority of the class.
Having a bad feeling while interviewing and after having dinner with the prof?s later made me decide that I would only go to LECOM as a last resort. I hope my opinion helps good luck no matter where you go.

 

[smgilles]

I guess I am just plain crazy....I accepted LECOM over UNECOM and DMU. I got the complete opposite feel that most of the people posting here did and I look forward to attending school there. Different strokes for different folks, just go to the one that you think you will be happiest at.

 

[Docgeorge]

Originally posted by smgilles
Different strokes for different folks, just go to the one that you think you will be happiest at.

smgilles, I think you hit the bulls eye with that comment. Just go where you think you will be the happiest.

 

[doctorperez]

Lecom would be my choice

Choose wisely, choose Lecom.

 

[njdo]

To the original poster,

As everyone else has said, go where you feel most comfortable, and I think more importantly, go where you feel you will get the best possible education FOR YOU.

I was accepted at 4 other DO schools, and chose LECOM over them all. It was a variety of factors that went into my decision including location, cost, teaching focus, but most importantly, the other schools couldn't match their systems approach and the amount of clinical rotations available.

There are things at this school that really bother me and yes, the administration could be a bit more student-friendly and understanding of situations and concerns. But in the end they are making good decisions for you, and have your and their best interests in mind. I do have to agree with what the prof here told you...I could even venture a guess as to what prof told you that. There are going to be these types of administration-BS problems at most schools. Most administrators are known for being control-freaks.

Anyway, you get over the weather (did anyone mention how beatiful it is here in the spring and summer and that we have a gorgeous lake/beach?), you get a very early clinical experience (I have already been doing histories and physicals on patients) and you get a quality systems-based education (the way to go in my humble opinion). Let's try to focus on the positives of the schools here. I've never gotten on this board and bashed the other schools I interviewed at even though they were very respected, well-established DO schools (and they had their problems too). To close, go where you feel you'll get the best education (without feeling too miserable).

Good luck. If you decide to come to LECOM, or have any other questions, please feel free to PM me.

njdo

PS...I didn't apply to NYCOM, so I can't compare

 

[oceandocDO]

OceandocDO : where are you???!!! You can give a wonderful rundown of why NYCOM is a great place to be! You couldnt pay me to be in LECOM!

Awww, thanks 🙂

I'm a second year at NYCOM. I agree with much of what pafbdoc said above. I also chose NYCOM over some D.O. and MD programs as well. I really wanted to be in NY. It's an incredible place to learn medicine.... the most diverse patient population in the world. I also didnt want to have to move all over the country in third year, which is something many D.O. schools sometimes make you do, including LECOM I think. Most of nycom's rotations are in the NY metro area. The hospitals are pretty decent, some affiliated with the likes of Cornell, NYU, Einstein, Downstate, Yale, Stonybrook, etc. The match list of late will go to bat against any school, D.O. or MD. Classes at nycom are basic sciences first year and systems-based second year.

Student life at nycom is pretty supportive. The administration are very much all student advocates, and do their best to solve problems as they arise. As pafbdoc alluded to, they even gave us all 5 days off and paid for hotel rooms for 150 students to go to the AOA convention in vegas. They want the students to not only be students, but to be a part of the profession as well. As the next closest school had 12 students in vegas, you dont find this support and encouragement everywhere.

I have a close college friend in the LECOM distance learning program and she likes it, but she wonders why she has to pay so much money to learn by herself. I'm definitely not that motivated and would never survive in that program. I also heard they were opening another branch campus in florida, but my friend also said it's main purpose was to make some money, as the distance learning program is a cash cow. I dont know much about the other curricula tracks.

Anyway, hope this helps. Feel free to fire back some Q's.

 

[DOtobe]

Originally posted by Docgeorge
To give you a quote from the prof's (met through mutual friend) "They (the Ferretti's) run this place like their own fiefdom" and this one, "If you were to look up narcissism in the DSMV you would find the Ferretti's fit 10 out of the 12 criteria".

That is hysterical. The bad thing is that it is true. I like LECOM, but I am glad that I will be getting out soon and away from the Ferretti empire. LECOM has awesome clinical experiences for the students pre-rotations, but just like any other schools it isn't perfect. The Ferretti factor is a big reason I can't wait to get out of LECOM and into the hospitals.

Just passed ACLS so I am officially an MS-III and will be out of Erie in 3 weeks!!!

 

[Docgeorge]

njdesi, I?d really appreciate it if you didn?t make any guesses as to who the Profs (plural) are. I am not trying to bash any school here. The op wanted help in deciding between two schools. I believe in informed choice, and I feel that my experience was worth sharing. I think that I would be doing a disservice to the op and this board if I kept my mouth (or in this case my hands) shut.

Dotobe, I?m glad your heading out. Have fun on rotations. I hope to be in your place in a couple of years.

 

[Docgeorge]

Sorry, I ment njdo

 

[turkdlit]

I met with a LECOM recruiter about a month ago. Being a Pennsylvania resident my advisor has stressed that I apply to LECOM, particularly because they have had good experiences with students from my undergrad (CMU)...

The presentation from the recruiter alone completely turned me off to LECOM...photos of a lifeless area, the presentation was very cold and didn't make me feel like the school was very welcoming, if that makes sense. And for f*cks sake, who wants to be told what to wear in their 20's...

I'm sure the education is excellent, but I just didn't get a good feeling...just my opinion...

 

[OMMFellow06]

Originally posted by njdo

I was accepted at 4 other DO schools, and chose LECOM over them all. It was a variety of factors that went into my decision including location, cost, teaching focus, but most importantly, the other schools couldn't match their systems approach and the amount of clinical rotations available.

I don't know how many affiliates that LECOM might have, but I do know that NYCOM has more than 30 affiliates in the NYC area, upstate NY, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. I do not know of another school with that many(if anyone knows of a school with more, please let me know)

NYCOM has made many improvements in the past few years including a new Dean, Dr. Barbara Ross-Lee who has a done a wonderful job. The administration is receptive to students and I only see a bright future on the horizon.

 

[sddoc]

Actually, I just went to our LECOM's student website and counted 71 affiliates in 6 states. Several more rotation sites are to be added on in Florida and Georgia in the next 2 or 3 years. Our clinical education program is very progressive and works hard to give students an abundant number of choices for 3rd and 4th years.

OK, now I'm REALLY going to start studying for my finals!!!

 

[PublicHealth]

OMMFellow06 --

Do you know the name(s) of NYCOM's hospital affiliates in Connecticut?

Thank you!

PH

 

[oceandocDO]

Do you know the name(s) of NYCOM's hospital affiliates in Connecticut?

It's Griffin Hospital, an affiliate of Yale actually.

 

[hermione]

It's a personal decision. But since people seem to be basing their opinions on limited points of view, I'll share my story...

I turned down my NYCOM interview because the woman whom I spoke to in admissions was so incredibly rude to me, I couldn't imagine spending 4 years at a place where people treat others in that manner. Now, I went out on a limb and didn't assume that NYCOM was a terrible place overall because of this one experience, and I certainly would not tell others not to attend because of it!

The winters in Erie are snowy. So are the winters in the surrounding areas. So following that logic, you better turn down any acceptances to SUNY Upstate, Buffalo, or U of Rochester as well. It doesn't matter what kind of education you may miss out on, because, for god sakes, IT SNOWS THERE!!

LECOM has been the ideal place for me. The people are nice, the education is outstanding, the PBL program suits my personal style, and I have a snow brush, so all is well in my "dreary" world.

And by the way, you're right, who needs to be told what to wear in their 20's? I don't know any of my friends who have careers that have to wear ties everyday. Their employers are pleased when they come to work in sweats. Honestly, the dress code is a pain in the a$$, but it's the standard in most professional environments. I know that we are "students", but we'd be dressing this way everyday had we not gotten into med school and were in the working world. I can think of things much more relevant to base my school choices on.

Like the clinical affiliations, for one. But most of all, how you felt when you were on each campus, and in each community. I'm sure lots of people love living downstate. I personally prefer Erie. I'm not wrong, its just an opinion. So go with your gut, and with real, factual information. Not a silly argument on SDN based on "my friend has a friend who's cousin drove by LECOM once, and..." anecdotes.

Good luck, and I wish you the best no matter where you end up!

 

[turkdlit]

Well, just like you were turned off by the admissions woman at NYCOM, in fact, so strongly that you turned down and interview 😱, I was turned off by the coldness of the recruiter for LECOM.

Seriously though, my argument against LECOM isn't based on vague experiences, just strong convictions and preferences. Its not that the weather is too cold or dreary...I've lived in Pittsburgh for most of my life, I know what western PA weather is like. Thing is I visited Erie years ago and I found it boring...so boring that I won't even consider applying, despite it being a school that I may stand my best chance of getting into.

Its not reasonable to assume professional school should treat you the same way as a professional career, i.e. looking clean cut and fresh all the time. How many grad schools enforce a dress code (excluding religion-affiliated schools)? I'm however a bit biased 'cause I went to a high school that enforced a dress code, and it was annoying as all hell...

Again, its all about preference...if you don't mind being treated like a child, being sent home from class because you're not wearing a tie (which is what the LECOM recruiter informed mewould happen), then I worry about some people's tolerance for bullsh*t...

All about preference...
😛

 

[skypilot]

Thanks. I definitely won't consider that school.

 

[Docgeorge]

those experices that I had were'nt 2nd or 3rd hand from my cousin's frined who drove by LECOM once, they are my experiences from my interview and subsaquent 1st hand conversations over dinner with profs.

 

[Doctortobee]

I just want to echo a few things said here...You need to select the school that is going to be in your best interest and meet your academic needs. You also have to consider where you feel most comfortable. For instance, I had my heart set on going to Ohio U and didn't tour any other schools. During interview season I interviewed at OU, UHS, and LECOM. Ever since my interview at LECOM, I knew that I was supposed to go to LECOM. That's the school where my academic needs will be met and where I felt the most comfortable!

Good Luck!

 

[Docgeorge]

Originally posted by Doctortobee
I just want to echo a few things said here...You need to select the school that is going to be in your best interest and meet your academic needs. You also have to consider where you feel most comfortable. For instance, I had my heart set on going to Ohio U and didn't tour any other schools. During interview season I interviewed at OU, UHS, and LECOM. Ever since my interview at LECOM, I knew that I was supposed to go to LECOM. That's the school where my academic needs will be met and where I felt the most comfortable!

Good Luck!

Well said!