Help deciding between AZCOM and CCOM

[ArtOfWar]

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Fortunately I have been accepted to AZCOM, CCOM, and WesternU 😀 Currently, I am trying to decide which school I would like to attend. I preferred the atmosphere of AZCOM and CCOM over WesternU and have narrowed it down to these two schools. I feel that the first two years are fairly identical between both schools, the main differences lie in the facilities, weather, and rotations.
AZCOM has better weather and facilities, in my opinion, but CCOM seems to have better rotation sites. Furthermore, I still have not decided which AZCOM rotation track I will be pursuing though I am leaning towards the Turlock/Modesto one because I have family in that area - then again I feel that the hospitals in the LA track will better prepare me for my future goals.
With regards to these goals I would ultimately like to pursue a residency in the NW - OHSU/UW I'm looking at you 😛, practice in or around the Seattle area, and would like to pursue a residency in EM, gen surg, or IM (with the intention of being a hospitalist for a while and then further specializing down the road).

Thoughts? I am torn between the schools as I think they are both fantastic and have heard great things about both.

 

[Elevencents]

You can pretty much toss a coin in this one. Both have mostly identical pre clinical years and you don't want to stay in either area so geography is out. I'd prefer the weather in AZ more but that's just me. Both good schools, you can't go wrong here. Good luck!

 

[DrEnderW]

Price difference? I don't know a thing about AZCOM but CCOM is outrageously expensive.

 

[Elevencents]

Price difference? I don't know a thing about AZCOM but CCOM is outrageously expensive.

AZCOM is just as much. And both will be 60k+ before you graduate!

 

[ph7]

I think with between these schools it all comes down to sheer preference. CCOM has been around longer than AZ and the rotations are pretty decent in Chicago and so the Midwest region knows CCOM fairly well. AZ idk much about, besides that it gets a bit warm there... No difference in price as someone has said, so flip a coin?

 

[Roxas]

CCOM has some killer rotation sites, which I've heard is one of AZCOMs weaknesses. Probably better residency opportunities in Chicago

 

[Dreamstoo]

CCOM has some killer rotation sites, which I've heard is one of AZCOMs weaknesses. Probably better residency opportunities in Chicago

Exactly my thought process. I would go with CCOM OP. AZCOM I know is a solid DO school nonetheless.

 

[kp11]

CCOM has some killer rotation sites, which I've heard is one of AZCOMs weaknesses. Probably better residency opportunities in Chicago

+1. Do you prefer cacti and rock or trees and snow?

 

[Roxas]

+1. Do you prefer cacti and rock or trees and snow?

That's tough. If I was in OP's situation I might choose AZCOM because its close to home and I don't know how conducive Chicago is to family life. I'm more of a small town guy myself, but I stick by my original statement that CCOM is probably better it terms of career opportunities.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

CCOM

 

[TreadLightly]

Well since they're both pretty much the same school and if their curriculum/rotations are the same, I would go by location. I would prefer AZ over -20 any day. And Arizona is just a beautiful state with Las Vegas not too far away.

 

[chet]

I hope I can offer you some insight,

Getting out of the region where you go to medical school can be challenging. Particularly if you want to enter a competitive specialty in the allopathic match in an ultra-competitive region. I don't want to burst your bubble, but neither of these schools will open the door to the UW. OHSU is possible but will be very difficult. I would recommend going to Arizona, your still close to the west coast, your quality of life in terms of housing and finances will be way better, and I think its probably the better of the two schools. I'm a fourth year at CCOM, we rotate with a subset of AZCOM students who choose to do their clinical years in Chicago, they seemed overall to me more satisfied with their experience. PM me if you have any specific questions.

 

[GopherMD]

CCOM. Better rotation sites, better location.

 

[goldenroc]

AZCOM student here, I may be biased, but it seems that we consistently have higher board scores and more competitive matches. I am happy with most things about this school. Anatomy and Biochem departments here are hard on us but they are top notch. Plus, you are in close proximity to great rotation sites in the Valley, LA, Modesto, Chicago. You can switch sites with other people if you decide to change later on.

 

[touchpause13]

Would you rather live in Arizona or Chicago?

 

[jockdoc97]

CCOM has a better location, better rotation sites, and is part of the "Ivy League" of DO schools (original 5).

Better location based on what? It's 40 minutes from Chicago and the suburbs are pretty on par with each other. Weather there sucks. It's been miserable winter for everyone in the midwest. If I had a choice, I would take warm and sunny everyday over cold, dreary winters. It must get depressing studying with no sun to make things better. I've never heard reference to this ivy league of DO schools, but my out of state midwest relatives have never heard of CCOM.