Help! AZCOM vs TUNCOM

[MedArtist]

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Hello! Sorry for the additional annoying "which one?" thread, but I'd greatly appreciate some weigh in. I have about a week before I need to put a 2k deposit down on TUNCOM. I have until December 15th for AZCOM.

Things I consider important: strength in specialty rotations / matching and systems based curriculum.

Overview

AZCOM:
Pros -
- Impressive match lists
- Well established school
- No dress code
- No laptop requirement
Cons -
- Expensive
- Traditional curriculum
- Large class size
- Suburbs

TUNCOM:
Pros -
- Class size
- New curriculum, systems based
- Redo of rotations, more electives
- Tuition
Cons -
- Computer requirement
- All curriculum changes will be new for incoming class, untested territory
- Suburbs
- Facilities

Other things to consider:
I have more interviews, these are just the acceptances I have at the moment. I don't want to place deposits down everywhere, but am wondering if I should let TUNCOM go.

I interviewed at KCU and am awaiting a decision (6 weeks), and have Albany Medical college (MD), TUCOM, and UWSOM (MD) coming up. I have chosen to not interview at NSU and DMU.

Thank you!

 

[Peach Newport]

I'd say AZCOM.

i say this for two very bad reasons:

1) my medical friends in LA have actually heard of AZCOM and tell me that they're the only DO residents they've ever seen there... And LA is a VERY unwelcoming place for DOs.

2) dude, do you really want to be in Las Vegas?

Although if I were you, I'd take that Nova Southeastern interview. Out of the DOs you've mentioned, that's what I'd pick.

 

[sdhere1234]

I loved the environment at TUNCOM. But I haven't interviewed at AZCOM so I can't compare the two.

I don't see how the laptop requirement is a con for TUNCOM. Just imagine it's $1400 towards tuition, but you're still paying less than AZCOM. You're free to use you own if you'd like.

 

[AlteredScale]

Moving to school specific discussions.

If you get them MD acceptance, take it an run I don't care if you have the top DO acceptance. Take the MD.

Between the two you have right now I'd choose AZCOM. It's a strong school.

 

[MADD!!!]

Both schools are solid from what I've seen. AZCOM's match list is more impressive because of the students that go there, not because the school itself is inherently better in any way. Go with whichever school you honestly felt better and more comfortable in. If all else being equal, I'd say choose TUNCOM just because of tuition (AZCOM is too expensive and their tuition cant be justified for being as high as it is).

 

[NecrotizingFasciitis]

TUNCOM if it's between the two. Dr. Durham is going to bring TUNCOM to the top of the board scores with that new curriculum. Plus Henderson has so much to do.. Vegas is nearby too ((+) in my book lol).

The fact that AZCOM allows you until Dec. 15th for a deposit is great though. If you want to wait and interview other places, AZCOM is obviously a great school so you might as well dismiss TUNCOM to save the $2,000... Unless money is not an issues. In which case, save a seat at TUNCOM and then see how the rest of the cycle pans out.

I think you should definitely check out NSU if you still have the chance, like others have said.

Congrats on such a successful cycle! What a great position to be in.

 

[Cawolf]

AZCOM

Drop TUNCOM and their crazy October deposit. All of your other upcoming interviews would beat out AZCOM though.

 

[drkube]

I second AZCOM as well.

 

[Wjldenver]

The timing is certainly not right to select TUNCOM. UNLV is in the final stages of opening an MD program in the same city.

http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/e...minary-accreditation-clearing-way-first-class

As a DO student in the same area, the competition for quality rotations will most likely become higher. And by the way, do you really want to attend classes in TUNCOM's building? Do they even have windows?

 

[AlteredScale]

The timing is certainly not right to select TUNCOM. UNLV is in the final stages of opening an MD program in the same city.

http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/e...minary-accreditation-clearing-way-first-class

As a DO student in the same area, the competition for quality rotations will most likely become higher. And by the way, do you really want to attend classes in TUNCOM's building? Do they even have windows?

They might still serve costco pizza there!


Sent from my iPad using SDN mobile app

 

[Wjldenver]

...Another interesting fact. UNLV starts their MD program with a $100M donation and Touro's entire endowment is $11.7M. That is why many DO programs charge so much for tuition.

 

[deleted812153]

The timing is certainly not right to select TUNCOM. UNLV is in the final stages of opening an MD program in the same city.

UNLV Medical School wins preliminary accreditation, clearing way for first class

As a DO student in the same area, the competition for quality rotations will most likely become higher. And by the way, do you really want to attend classes in TUNCOM's building? Do they even have windows?

Can confirm the lack of windows is actually REALLY bothersome

 

[RinShanKaiHo]

...Another interesting fact. UNLV starts their MD program with a $100M donation and Touro's entire endowment is $11.7M. That is why many DO programs charge so much for tuition.

So does the 200million donation to NSU actually mean a lot?

 

[MADD!!!]

...Another interesting fact. UNLV starts their MD program with a $100M donation and Touro's entire endowment is $11.7M. That is why many DO programs charge so much for tuition.

PCOM has over $300M in endowments.... and our tuition is still on the higher end.

 

[Wjldenver]

A school's endowment (MD or DO) is a resource, and if used strategically, will benefit both the school and it's students. I believe PCOM for example, offers scholarships to a number of students, and hopefully some of their $162M endowment (recent google search) is used for faculty recruitment/development, quality rotation development/support, and research opportunities for students. So long story short, a $200M donation to NSU (or any school for that matter) would hypothetically benefit the students learning experience.

Many DO schools don't seem to give students much of a break tuition wise though. Midwestern has an endowment >$300M and their Chicago campus charges $65K per year. Note that is more than what Harvard charges tuition wise for their MD program ($58K). If I was a potential DO student, I would really need to think twice before paying anything close to $65K per year in tuition.

 

[workaholic181]

Two of my interviews have been at AZCOM and KCU.. If I were you I would not pay that deposit at TUNCOM and see how everything plays out with KCU and subsequently your MD interviews. I get wanting to play it safe but KCU and the upcoming MD IIs far outweigh both of your current acceptances IMO. I have a hunch you'll hear back from KCU before dec 15 (based on what I was told at my II there) and then you'll buy more time in terms of putting down a deposit somewhere and could cross of AZCOM.

Not to denigrate AZCOM though.. their match list was really cool plus I personally appreciated how much they changed the curriculum to help their students succeed on the boards last year. If you end up there that's a great result, but my point is you dont have to decide right now or place a deposit at this time. It's really unfortunate that some of the DO schools have these costly and early deposits in place. IMO that alone is a mark against a school.

good luck op!

 

[deleted812153]

Guys this thread is from 2016...