Help!! VCOM Auburn or UIWSOM

[tulip11]

---

Members don't see this ad.

TX resident and would prefer to stay in state. UIW has not graduated their first class but has a unique self study curriculum. VCOM Auburn has graduated their first class, is more established, but is far from family.

Help me decide. What are some reasons to choose X over Y?

******Updated with more info******

UIWSOM Pros:
-In-state, close to family
-Unique curriculum (although I am not sure if I fit the self-study curriculum)
-Rotations at most, if not all, of the hospitals in San Antonio

UIWSOM Cons:
-No stats to base decisions on (graduates first class next year)
-In-state but is a private school so still expensive
-I've heard more bad things than good about the school.

UIWSOM: didn't hate the school, didn't love it.

VCOM-Auburn Pros:
-Nationally ranked for first choice residency matches
-Somewhat accelerated curriculum to allow an entire block for board studying
-Cheaper than UIWSOM lol

VCOM-Auburn Cons:
-Very far from my family/friends.. 16 hour drive!
-New city, new state, new everything
-Mandatory attendance and dress code (although, this may not be that much of a con. I don't usually go to class though. Can anyone speak about this policy?)

VCOM-Auburn: I honesty loved this school but really wanted to stay in TX. They only interview a very small percentage of applicants so I really felt that they wanted me at their school. There were only like 10 ppl at the interview so it felt very personal. With the changes with STEP P/F, I am being more considerate of the smaller things such as school reputation and establishment.

 

[TheDataKing]

Do you have any more pros and cons? What’s the difference in COA if that is of concern to you? I’d want to go to a more established school but honestly don’t know as much about DO schools. @PapaGuava may be able to weigh in 🙂

 

[PapaGuava]

I would vote for VCOM-Auburn, it has been established and VCOM is a good program. I can't speak as much on UIW so hopefully others can comment on that program. Also, if you think being too far away from family will hinder you significantly then you need to take that into consideration as well.
@tulip11

 

[MightyDoc10]

I wouldn’t really say vcom auburn is “established” either. I’m sure both schools will prepare you though to be a doctor and your on work ethic will indicate your board scores. Me, personally would want to stay close to my support system though.

 

[tulip11]

I wouldn’t really say vcom auburn is “established” either. I’m sure both schools will prepare you though to be a doctor and your on work ethic will indicate your board scores. Me, personally would want to stay close to my support system though.

Thank you! Why do you think VCOM is not established? Just curious and would like to hear your thoughts on the school

 

[tulip11]

Do you have any more pros and cons? What’s the difference in COA if that is of concern to you? I’d want to go to a more established school but honestly don’t know as much about DO schools. @PapaGuava may be able to weigh in 🙂

Hi! Thank you and yes I updated my original post with much more info to help guide the discussion. Also, what does COA mean?

 

[tulip11]

Hi! Thank you and yes I updated my original post with much more info to help guide the discussion. Also, what does COA mean?

I just realized that COA means cost of attendance.
VCOM Auburn:

UIWSOM:

Rounding about to about $80k

 

[MightyDoc10]

Thank you! Why do you think VCOM is not established? Just curious and would like to hear your thoughts on the school

They have only graduated one class. It’s a new school too. I wouldn’t consider that an established school. Doesn’t mean it isn’t a good school but comparing it to UIWSOM is like apples to oranges.

 

[dohopeful13]

Interviewed at VCOM Auburn last year and I really liked it, but the deciding factor for me was I just couldn't imagine being forced to attend lecture every day AND dress up on top of that. I'm a sweat pants and library kinda guy.

 

[tulip11]

Interviewed at VCOM Auburn last year and I really liked it, but the deciding factor for me was I just couldn't imagine being forced to attend lecture every day AND dress up on top of that. I'm a sweat pants and library kinda guy.

Same... I wonder how casual the business casual dress code is... I have a friend there who says people wear jeans and tennis shoes with a shirt. It’s more strict in the beginning

 

[MightyDoc10]

Interviewed at VCOM Auburn last year and I really liked it, but the deciding factor for me was I just couldn't imagine being forced to attend lecture every day AND dress up on top of that. I'm a sweat pants and library kinda guy.

I’ve had a bunch of current med students tell me mandatory attendance is brutal and big deal breaker when comparing schools

 

[dohopeful13]

I’ve had a bunch of current med students tell me mandatory attendance is brutal and big deal breaker when comparing schools

I would almost certainly be a VCOM student rn if not for that policy tbh.

 

[tulip11]

I would almost certainly be a VCOM student rn if not for that policy tbh.

Lol idk what to do. I am in a pickle. But would it be silly to choose UIW over VCOM simply because of the mandatory attendance?

 

[Dr. Anonymouss]

VCOM

 

[dohopeful13]

Lol idk what to do. I am in a pickle. But would it be silly to choose UIW over VCOM simply because of the mandatory attendance?

If you see you see mandatory attendance seriously crippling your academics, then no, it wouldn't be silly.

If UIW feels right, go with UIW. Yes they are new, but honestly if it's not one of the original DO programs, DO = DO.

 

[Dr. Anonymouss]

If you see you see mandatory attendance seriously crippling your academics, then no, it wouldn't be silly.

If UIW feels right, go with UIW. Yes they are new, but honestly if it's not one of the original DO programs, DO = DO.

That’s not true. Established schools will have better clinical sites in place while some even have GME’s. Although VCOM auburn isn’t very old, VCOM has a decent reputation and I’d take that over a brand new school with no proven track record.

 

[dohopeful13]

That’s not true. Established schools will have better clinical sites in place while some even have GME’s. Although VCOM auburn isn’t very old, VCOM has a decent reputation and I’d take that over a brand new school with no proven track record.

Fair point, but mandatory lecture is still a huge factor if that's not your learning style.

 

[deleted936470]

VCOM > UIWSOM, even with the attendance policy difference.

 

[Rogue42]

I am a VCOM student, so I may be biased. But let me shed my honest opinion.

1. Tuition, tuition, tuition. Saving $40,000 dollars is a big deal and DOES make a difference. In this category, VCOM wins.
2. Screw what these people say, VCOM IS an established school. Sure, this is a new campus, but I can tell you right now that we are ran like a well-oiled machine. We do not miss a beat. AND if you really feel like you're going to miss out, then you have the opportunity to watch every lecture given at the original campus.
3. If you are worried about the match stuff, I can tell you that VCOM-Auburn had a great match last year, and had a great match this year (as far as I know). If you are even more worried, you can look at the history of the Carolinas Campus of VCOM and see that they are doing great in match as well. So, imagine what it will look like in 5 years from now when you match...probably a pretty good chance VCOM stays strong in its matches.
4. At VCOM, you are associated with the largest medical school in the country which means you are going to have a crap ton of resources at your disposal. Secondly, you are associated with a globally known University at Auburn. Again, you have a lot of resources here. A lot more than 98% of other schools. I do not know enough about UIWSOM to say 100% that VCOM-Auburn wins this category, but I would say we do.
5. WE ARE A FAMILY.
6. As far as mandatory attendance. It's laughable. You are allowed to miss 11 days or 22 half days. With that said, MOST of our days end at noon, and those that don't usually have lab in the afternoon which is mandatory no matter what (No matter what school you go to, lab will be mandatory). So if 85% of our days end at noon, then you can basically miss 22 days. I can tell you that it is very hard to actually do; I got a friend that hasn't seen the inside of the lecture hall except for our required lectures and exams, and he still has not gone over the limit.
7. Dress. This is overstated on SDN. I wear khakis without a belt, boots, and a three-quarter zip pull over everyday. We have a rule that you can wear a VCOM sweatshirt also. It is business casual...but stress the casual, fam. Realistically, how hard is it to show up for 3 or four lectures in pretty casual dress two or three times a week? It requires minimal effort truly.

I know family is a big deal, but getting out of your hometown or close to it, experiencing different communities, sitting alongside a very diverse group of students, and learning from experienced faculty that are from those communities, all lead you to becoming a great holistic physician. I am not saying that you can't find that at UIWSOM, but I know for sure you will find that here at VCOM - Auburn.

 

[elphie236]

UIWSOM also has mandatory lecture 5x a week. Also has a Dress code of Business causal 3x a week with scrubs on anatomy day and then athletic wear on OMM days. Lecture are not recorded so you have to show up.
Just and FYI to help your decision.
Also the essay based exams are brutal. And does not help with boards at all