Hi All,
Thanks for all the input. Have been in SDN for about 5 years and first time post.
I have had the honor to be accepted by multiple medical school this year. This is my third time applying and I am very glad to finally move on to the next stage. I was able to narrow down my acceptances to two schools: Nova Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine and Kansas City University of Medicine and Bio-sciences. I have listed the pros and cons for both schools for everyone to see and compare.
Something to add to the list: I am an international student, and will be needing visas during residency. I heard that some states may not be willing to offer visas to international students. Not sure if this would be a primary factor in deciding medical school... I am willing to go on either H1 or J1 visa as long as I could stay and practice in US.
NSU-COM Pros:
1. It is a big university, it has a big and complete undergraduate campus and a big health profession division that offers many additional degrees in addition to medicine (nurses, pa, dentistry, etc.). The DO school was established in 1970s, a very solid reputation in the southeast. I personally like a big university feel, with a big library and gym.
2. In addition, it has strong affiliation with many teaching hospitals and three level 1 trauma centers in Florida, with the opportunity of doing elective rotations in many academic institutions.
3. It follows a combination of traditional basic science curriculum in first year and system based curriculum in second year, which is good because I can learn the materials twice before Board exam. The school also offers textbooks and some review sessions for board exam.
4. Match list is pretty decent, not necessarily all primary care (around 60%), specialty and surgery match looks nice.
NSU-COM Cons:
1. I am having a hard time trying to find its board score (not sure for USMILE, just for COMLEX). I heard from some students that its COMLEX score is average or above average? Please correct this.
2. Fourth year has a required 2.5 months of rural rotation (either rural Florida or county jail), which may occur during audition rotations at desired residency hospital. This could be a miss or hit. I am from a very culturally different country than US, so the idea of rural rotation is bit confusing. What is the definition of rural area in US? (Like deep in a mountain or a small village?)
In addition, I am not sure if this is a pro or a con: Nova just received a gigantic donation, allowing Nova to open a MD school at the main campus in 2019 and another DO campus in Tampa Florida. A university teaching hospital at the main campus will open next year.
KCUMB pros:
1. It is one of the oldest DO school, over 100 years, a very solid reputation in Midwest. The school just have a DO school and its master of medical science program. It does not have any undergraduate campus. This could be a plus as there are less distractions.
2. It has the highest average board score average (COMLEX), and a decent USMILE score according to its website.
3. Like Nova, it follows a combination of traditional basic science curriculum in first year and system based curriculum in second year. The school also offers textbooks and some review sessions for board exam.
4. Like Nova, match list is pretty decent, not necessarily all primary care (around 60%), specialty and surgery match looks nice.
KCUMB cons:
1. The neighborhood environment for KCUMB is worse than Nova. KCUMB is located in Kansas City inner city, may not be a good idea to stay late in the library. I am kind of surprised by its neighborhood. Staying in Boston for two years, I know that usually inner city will have a decent sized trauma center. However, the closest trauma center from Kansas City inner city is at least 6 miles away at UMKC. Please correct me if I am wrong.
2. The rotation quality seems to be worse than Nova. Most rotations in Kansas and Missouri are based within private healthcare system, There are few spots in the Kansas University medical center, but only reserved for the top 5% of the class, very steep competition if wanted to have bigger hospital experience (hearing from senior students). Other options are moving to other states for better rotation experiences (Ohio, Colorado, Florida).
In addition, it may be a pro or con. KCUMB just opened a branch campus in Joplin Missouri this year. Rumor says even it is a newer campus, student performed better than the main campus and have access to better rotation spots.
I have asked around my friends and professors for suggestions but received different perspectives on this issue. In your opinion, would the board score of the class or the rotation quality of the school be the deciding factor?
In addition, I am hoping to know the differences between ward based and preceptor based rotation. From where I am from, medical school students seem to follow the ward based rotation schedule. They don't have a designated professor to follow throughout the rotation. I believe in preceptor based setting, I am suppose to follow just one professor for the rotation experience. Would rotating in a big hospital setting compensate for the lack of team based experience?
Thank you all for the help!
Thanks for all the input. Have been in SDN for about 5 years and first time post.
I have had the honor to be accepted by multiple medical school this year. This is my third time applying and I am very glad to finally move on to the next stage. I was able to narrow down my acceptances to two schools: Nova Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine and Kansas City University of Medicine and Bio-sciences. I have listed the pros and cons for both schools for everyone to see and compare.
Something to add to the list: I am an international student, and will be needing visas during residency. I heard that some states may not be willing to offer visas to international students. Not sure if this would be a primary factor in deciding medical school... I am willing to go on either H1 or J1 visa as long as I could stay and practice in US.
NSU-COM Pros:
1. It is a big university, it has a big and complete undergraduate campus and a big health profession division that offers many additional degrees in addition to medicine (nurses, pa, dentistry, etc.). The DO school was established in 1970s, a very solid reputation in the southeast. I personally like a big university feel, with a big library and gym.
2. In addition, it has strong affiliation with many teaching hospitals and three level 1 trauma centers in Florida, with the opportunity of doing elective rotations in many academic institutions.
3. It follows a combination of traditional basic science curriculum in first year and system based curriculum in second year, which is good because I can learn the materials twice before Board exam. The school also offers textbooks and some review sessions for board exam.
4. Match list is pretty decent, not necessarily all primary care (around 60%), specialty and surgery match looks nice.
NSU-COM Cons:
1. I am having a hard time trying to find its board score (not sure for USMILE, just for COMLEX). I heard from some students that its COMLEX score is average or above average? Please correct this.
2. Fourth year has a required 2.5 months of rural rotation (either rural Florida or county jail), which may occur during audition rotations at desired residency hospital. This could be a miss or hit. I am from a very culturally different country than US, so the idea of rural rotation is bit confusing. What is the definition of rural area in US? (Like deep in a mountain or a small village?)
In addition, I am not sure if this is a pro or a con: Nova just received a gigantic donation, allowing Nova to open a MD school at the main campus in 2019 and another DO campus in Tampa Florida. A university teaching hospital at the main campus will open next year.
KCUMB pros:
1. It is one of the oldest DO school, over 100 years, a very solid reputation in Midwest. The school just have a DO school and its master of medical science program. It does not have any undergraduate campus. This could be a plus as there are less distractions.
2. It has the highest average board score average (COMLEX), and a decent USMILE score according to its website.
3. Like Nova, it follows a combination of traditional basic science curriculum in first year and system based curriculum in second year. The school also offers textbooks and some review sessions for board exam.
4. Like Nova, match list is pretty decent, not necessarily all primary care (around 60%), specialty and surgery match looks nice.
KCUMB cons:
1. The neighborhood environment for KCUMB is worse than Nova. KCUMB is located in Kansas City inner city, may not be a good idea to stay late in the library. I am kind of surprised by its neighborhood. Staying in Boston for two years, I know that usually inner city will have a decent sized trauma center. However, the closest trauma center from Kansas City inner city is at least 6 miles away at UMKC. Please correct me if I am wrong.
2. The rotation quality seems to be worse than Nova. Most rotations in Kansas and Missouri are based within private healthcare system, There are few spots in the Kansas University medical center, but only reserved for the top 5% of the class, very steep competition if wanted to have bigger hospital experience (hearing from senior students). Other options are moving to other states for better rotation experiences (Ohio, Colorado, Florida).
In addition, it may be a pro or con. KCUMB just opened a branch campus in Joplin Missouri this year. Rumor says even it is a newer campus, student performed better than the main campus and have access to better rotation spots.
I have asked around my friends and professors for suggestions but received different perspectives on this issue. In your opinion, would the board score of the class or the rotation quality of the school be the deciding factor?
In addition, I am hoping to know the differences between ward based and preceptor based rotation. From where I am from, medical school students seem to follow the ward based rotation schedule. They don't have a designated professor to follow throughout the rotation. I believe in preceptor based setting, I am suppose to follow just one professor for the rotation experience. Would rotating in a big hospital setting compensate for the lack of team based experience?
Thank you all for the help!
