Help, I Need To Decide Between UIC and NSUCOM

[DoctorShaR]

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O.K. guys. I need some help here. I have to decide between the University of Illinois at Chicago COM and Nova Southeastern. I am having an extremely hard time doing so. Any advice given will be appreciated. I am totally into Ostepathic Medicine, but it seems that if I want to go into Dermatology, it would be easier with a MD.

 

[DrQuinn]

As a graduating medical student at NSUCOM (three weeks!), I would tell you to go wherever the tuition is the cheapest. You'll get similar education and similar chances to get into most residencies at both schools. I know two DOs this match season that matched into MD Dermatology programs. By the time you are applying for residency (four years from now), even more DOs will break into the harder to get MD specialties. However, the difference between an 80k loan waiting for you when you graduate versus a 200k loan IS a big deal to consider, not what specialty you may go into.
Q

 

[PimplePopperMD]

I had the same choice four years ago, and I chose UIC, and am happy I did. I got into a competitive specialty, ans saved some $$.

look at the match list of the two respective schools, and see if it "matches" your interests (ie if you know you want orthopedic surgery, compare schools, and programs... university programs are generally considered to be more competitive than community)

At the end of the day, it probably won't matter, but the
a) debt will
b) competitiveness will.

Nothing against Nova; I was very impressed. But generally for residency applications, MD applicants are considered before DO applicants.

Further, I didn't want to have to deal with two different board exams.

Further, I didn't want to have to deal with NOT having a University hospital and VA system, which UIC has.

Good luck with your decision. Really, you won't go wrong with either place.

 

[Deuce 007 MD]

Save your money and go to public school.

 

[DoctorShaR]

The difference in tuition is only about 6,000 a year. That does not seem like a lot of money to me. What attracts me to Nova is the facilities, the location, the integration of the basic medical sciences and the students. I did my undergrad at UIC so I am very familiar with the campus and the red tape. I would also be closer to my family if I stay here. UIC's reputation and rotation sites are what attract me. I am a little worried about the trational curriculum at UIC and also the facilities are a little rundown. I don't know what to do.

 

[Ca$h MaNi]

Hey DoctorShaR,

I am going to be biased...but let me explain myself. I first thought I wanted to go to UIC for the price and the hospitals attached and rotation sites...but after my interviewing experience and havoc I had with UIC's staff and administration....as well as the general tone of some of the students I know there who have told me stories of "extreme competitiveness" and "lack of student care"(as compared to Rush or NSUCOM)...I have chosen NOVA and am very happy with my decision!

I chose NOVA based on many issues, the integrated curriculum, the mission trips available associated with the school--Guatemala, Dom. Republic, etc, the cardiac simulator(HARVEY), the location--Florida it's pretty good weather all year round(as opposed to the months of cold in chicago where you have the chance of unnecessary stress of getting sick when studying for an exam..there's just probably a higher probability in the cold..you know with flu season and all that, etc...as funny as it sounds ...weather does affect your ability to study well...especially if you are sick), the rotation sites are JUST AS GOOD if not better than UIC's(miami children's hospital- nationally ranked, miami heart institute-nationally ranked, Florida Hospital - Orlando--nationally ranked, Palmetto General--one of the nations top 100 teaching hospitals, etc.), and last but definitely not least...A FRIENDLY FACULTY AND STUDENT BODY!!! I had the best experience with the students in all my interactions and all the faculty was very supportive, and the staff/administration was real great(I mean can it get any better than Dean Silvagni?!?..he's great and an inspiration to us all as future physicians). I didnt hear of as much competition at NOVA than i had heard at UIC...it was more of a supportive network of M-1's and M-2's(ofcourse there are a few gunners in every class).

BUT....and you know there's a but...

UIC IS CHEAP!!!! I definitely would rather be 80 g's in debt than 120 G's in debt!


UIC has great hospitals, and attached medical center which is always a plus!

Cook County hospital probably has a lot of cases that you wouldnt see in many other metropolitan hospitals with medical schools...but ofcourse I don't know..I havent been to any of the hospitals associated to NOVA(except Palmetto General..which is a great hospital)

So overall...it is a tough decision..but I think it really comes down to money...both are great schools in their own right...and you basically make your medical education out to how you want it to be...the more effort you put in..the more you get out. The thing about NOVA that UIC definitely doesnt offer is OMM...and that's what I am going to love about being a DO..is to just have an extra tool in my "toolbelt" to offer to my patients...even if I do go into a specialty where it may not be known to be used frequently..it's good to have. I made my decision in terms of getting the most "bang for my buck"..and I think in being a DO..I get more out of my medical education. that's my 2 cents..good luck with your decision! 🙂

 

[MOZ D.O.]

i'm finishing up my second year here at nova and was in a similar situation to the original poster several years back and obviously i chose nova and have no regrets! the faculty, facilities and student body are all top notch. everybody here is accessible and willing to help you. some misconceptions i'd like to clear up that have been posted here. nova has core rotation sites all over the state of florida and georgia, one of which being the north broward hospital district, which is the fourth largest hospital district in the country. the district is made up of five hospitals in ft. lauderdale the flagship being broward general, a 700 bed public hospital which has pathology and hands-on experience comparable to cook county hospital. several of our core sites do have affiliations with the VA system such as in west palm beach. when it comes to getting into top specialties one thing you have to remember is that 70% of people graduating from nova and osteopathic schools in general go into primary care by choice and are not interested in derm, rads, etc. that being said if you want to go into these specialties there's nothing stopping you as there are DO's in several top programs. ultimately i would advise you to go where you feel most comfortable. anyway you look at it you'll still gonna owe a lot of dough in the end. MOZ D.O.