Help with a good dilemma

[SkiMonkey]

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So I know that threads like this have been beaten to death, so if you don't want to respond, or feel like you need to mock, don't worry about writing.

Anyway, I'm in a great position to chose between three schools and I'm finding it really hard. First of all, I know this is not a problem as many people don't have one school, but any advice I can get would be much appreciated. For me, the most important things are to find a place where my wife will be happy (something only she and I can chose), and I want a school that will give me the best third year rotations that don't require me to move around a lot. I am obviously going to be moving around a bit for rotations, but I don't want to have to travel every other month and be away from my wife for months at a time.

Any insights into VCOM, KCOM, and DMU in regards to these areas would be a great help. Thanks in advance

 

[SkiMonkey]

P.S. I do already know a decent amount about each school's rotations, but want to know your opinions on them as well. Thanks

 

[307Doc]

KCOM rotations are set up so there are about 7 to 10 regions. You chose your top 3 regions and then your choices are placed in a lottery. Then you are awarded one of your top choices. It's also possible that you can trade to get a regional site that you want, as long as the person trading with you wants too. So KCOM you can expect to stay within a region. If you choice the area around kirksville it might be possible to communte to the different locations but that will be a lot of miles. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is at KCOM you will be traveling quite a bit. But I think that is to be expected with most third and fourth year rotations. You can check out atsu.edu and look at the clinical rotations that are offered. That might give you a better idea of what I'm talking about.
GOOD LUCK

 

[scdocusc]

I know VCOM requires you to do significant time in a rural hospital. I heard that there's significant travel there. They actually asked me in my interview if I was willing to leave my family for weeks at a time for rotations and how I would feel about it.

 

[EEL08]

I vote for DMU. I honestly don't know if I could handle living in such a rural area. I'm not sure how rural VCOM is but I'm guessing moreso than DMU. I didn't interview at any of the three though so I can only tell you what I think based on my perceptions of each school. DMU's building looks awesome and seems to be up-to-date with technology. It's highly respected as well, not that the others aren't but that's an added plus. Again, this is all just me judging a book by its cover.

 

[sexyman]

I know VCOM requires you to do significant time in a rural hospital. I heard that there's significant travel there. They actually asked me in my interview if I was willing to leave my family for weeks at a time for rotations and how I would feel about it.

I believe it is 1 rotation that has to be done in a rural area.

 

[RoyalFB]

KCOM rotations are set up so there are about 7 to 10 regions. You chose your top 3 regions and then your choices are placed in a lottery. Then you are awarded one of your top choices. It's also possible that you can trade to get a regional site that you want, as long as the person trading with you wants too. So KCOM you can expect to stay within a region. If you choice the area around kirksville it might be possible to communte to the different locations but that will be a lot of miles. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is at KCOM you will be traveling quite a bit. But I think that is to be expected with most third and fourth year rotations. You can check out atsu.edu and look at the clinical rotations that are offered. That might give you a better idea of what I'm talking about.
GOOD LUCK

I had a completely different impression of KCOM's rotations. Much like the OP I will be heading to medical school with a family. Clinical rotations and travel time are playing a large part in my decision. Once you have been placed in a location for your 3rd and 4th years, there is a high degree of variability with regard to travel time to different locations. For example, if you were placed in Colorado, you would be doing rotations in Denver, Boulder, Grand Junction, and Sterling (basically all across the state). However, if you were in Arizona all of your rotations are within one county. If you lived centrally in that county, your longest commute time during your rotation years would be about 20 minutes. Granted there is a large move between years 2 and 3, but by that time you may be ready to get out of Kirksville anyway. 👍

 

[prionsRbad]

Out of the 3 I only interviewed ay DMU. From what I was told, beginning next year the majority of students will be doing all 3rd year rotations in Des Moines. During 4th year there is more freedom in setting up rotations and electives in other states, but you can also stay in Des Moines if you choose.

Even though I didn't get into DMU, I would choose them over VCOM and KCOM if I had the choice.

Good Luck with your decision!