How important is a school's reputation to you?

[Hal Jordan]

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With DO schools multiplying like rabbits, considering to apply to newer schools like RVUCOM (founded '06) or WSUCOM (in '08) makes me wonder about issues of a school's current accreditation situation, availability of financial aid, education quality, or COMPLEX pass rate. Im not knocking these programs, but how does not knowing some this info affect your decision-making in applying?

Leap of faith?

 

[JaggerPlate]

With DO schools multiplying like rabbits, considering to apply to newer schools like RVUCOM (founded '06) or WSUCOM (in '08) makes me wonder about issues of a school's current accreditation situation, availability of financial aid, education quality, or COMPLEX pass rate. Im not knocking these programs, but how does not knowing some this info affect your decision-making in applying?

Leap of faith?

COMLEX ....


Anyway, I applied to newer schools. I didn't feel like I would be taking a leap of faith with them. In the end, I did choose the oldest DO school out there (well technically the oldest one out there is IN the school's educational center), and I must say that fit was important, but I also felt good picking such an established school ... not expecting too many big curve balls, you know. I'd also take it on a school by school basis. Generalizations are never great.

 

[Hal Jordan]

Yeah, some surprises aren't as welcome, but on the flip side one could argue that it all comes down to self-application: U get out of it what u put into it. As cheesy as the argument/cliche is.

I'd assume a school pursuing accreditation is, like any other school, goal-orientated in producing physicians that they and the rest of workforce would consider competent (and above and beyond that).

However, even as i say that, it is still tough for me to buy that myself...

 

[JaggerPlate]

Yeah, some surprises aren't as welcome, but on the flip side one could argue that it all comes down to self-application: U get out of it what u put into it. As cheesy as the argument/cliche is.

I'd assume a school pursuing accreditation is, like any other school, goal-orientated in producing physicians that they and the rest of workforce would consider competent (and above and beyond that).

However, even as i say that, it is still tough for me to buy that myself...

You definitely get out what you put into it, but there are some issues that could potentially be out of your hands. My 2 cents with regards to that argument ... not only am I putting 4 years of my life into it, I'm also putting in 200k. I essentially want every perk possible, which (for me) includes name (a lot of people would argue that name with DO school isn't overtly important, I've had experiences which cause me to disagree), and not having to deal with too many unexpected speed bumps, especially at admin level situations. However, a lot of people like the flexibility that comes with a new school - heavy on student input, you can change things, setting up the program for the next generation of students, etc.

 

[boone95]

Yeah, some surprises aren't as welcome, but on the flip side one could argue that it all comes down to self-application: U get out of it what u put into it. As cheesy as the argument/cliche is.

I'd assume a school pursuing accreditation is, like any other school, goal-orientated in producing physicians that they and the rest of workforce would consider competent (and above and beyond that).

However, even as i say that, it is still tough for me to buy that myself...

On the other hand, I chose a new school over the older ones for a few reasons:
1. I liked the atmosphere more (location, facilities, faculty)
2. I like the idea of helping to build something from the ground up (although this isn't for everyone)
3. I liked a few of their ideas about curriculum more
4. I have yet to worry about financial aid, accreditation, etc. It's a non-issue in my eyes.

Bottom line is that you need to pick the school you feel most comfortable at.

Best of luck-

 

[Hal Jordan]

You definitely get out what you put into it, but there are some issues that could potentially be out of your hands. My 2 cents with regards to that argument ... not only am I putting 4 years of my life into it, I'm also putting in 200k. I essentially want every perk possible, which (for me) includes name (a lot of people would argue that name with DO school isn't overtly important, I've had experiences which cause me to disagree), and not having to deal with too many unexpected speed bumps, especially at admin level situations. However, a lot of people like the flexibility that comes with a new school - heavy on student input, you can change things, setting up the program for the next generation of students, etc.

Would u be willing to elaborate upon this?

 

[Hal Jordan]

On the other hand, I chose a new school over the older ones for a few reasons:
1. I liked the atmosphere more (location, facilities, faculty)
2. I like the idea of helping to build something from the ground up (although this isn't for everyone)
3. I liked a few of their ideas about curriculum more
4. I have yet to worry about financial aid, accreditation, etc. It's a non-issue in my eyes.

Bottom line is that you need to pick the school you feel most comfortable at.

Best of luck-

With regards to point #4, I have a feeling financial aid and accreditation go hand-in-hand. This is "what I was told" by a friend (thus, I cannot guarantee validity): RVUCOM is awaiting accreditation and if they were to fail achieving it, the students would be given the option by the school to transfer to a different school and all financial aid taken out for expenses related to the RVUprogram would be forgiven, HOWEVER you have to start over from scratch because the coursework you took wasn't accredited.

I hesitantly state this word-of-mouth story because frankly, it could be a load of crap, but i tell it more so for the consideration of a hypothetical situation and I also would VERY MUCH LIKE TO KNOW if someone can debunk this for me.

 

[PunkmedGirl]

With regards to point #4, I have a feeling financial aid and accreditation go hand-in-hand. This is "what I was told" by a friend (thus, I cannot guarantee validity): RVUCOM is awaiting accreditation and if they were to fail achieving it, the students would be given the option by the school to transfer to a different school and all financial aid taken out for expenses related to the RVUprogram would be forgiven, HOWEVER you have to start over from scratch because the coursework you took wasn't accredited.

I hesitantly state this word-of-mouth story because frankly, it could be a load of crap, but i tell it more so for the consideration of a hypothetical situation and I also would VERY MUCH LIKE TO KNOW if someone can debunk this for me.

The only way they will not receive full accreditation is if they don't graduate a class of medical students. And I don't see that being a remote possibility with either of the new schools or at least with RVU.

 

[JeetKuneDo]

This is subjective and represents only my personal bias, but there are one or two schools that I wouldn't apply to. I've read countless times of SDN here say about Touro NY that I don't think I could chance it by applying there.

 

[BKtomodachi]

This is subjective and represents only my personal bias, but there are one or two schools that I wouldn't apply to. I've read countless times of SDN here say about Touro NY that I don't think I could chance it by applying there.

I thought the same thing, although I only found out about TouroCOM's issues after I had applied.

Well, I went and interviewed. I talked extensively with current students (and not just the ones they encourage you to speak to).
It seems to me that I would have no problems attending the school. The information they gave me regarding administration, costs, rotations, student involvement, etc. was some of the most detailed I have received at any school.

That being said- RVU really scares me.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Personally while I am very interested in DO schools I don't think i'll be appplying outside of the older and established schools with a very good reputation. Not to knock on the newer ones, but if its a choice between a newer university and a older one at the same price its a easy call. But that being said if RVU gave me a half ride I wouldn't mind going .

 

[The Poet Sings]

i'll be attending wcu and i'm attracted to a newer school for the reasons someone else posted, like being able to provide tons of input and the administration is more likely to listen since they want that input. brand new facilities (ours aren't even done yet lol), and the faculty genuinely want the students to succeed. i got that feeling there more than at the other places i interviewed at (only a teeny bit more, but enough for me to notice). the area desperately needs competent physicians and they want to deliver on their promises. sure i can't use old comlex pass rates to get an idea of how the students are doing, but in reality, even if a school has a high pass rate it doesn't mean i'll do well just from showing up to class (and if it's 100%, that probably means they don't let everyone take it). since the school is as accredited as they can be, i trust that they're doing all the right things to continue on that path. it is more expensive than the other school i got into, but i prefer the curriculum they have planned, and i was most impressed by theirs out of all the schools i interviewed at.

 

[fitz0809]

Fit > Reputation

Go where you think you will fit in the best. If you are trying to decide where to apply to, apply broadly and withdraw post-interview if you aren't satisfied.

One advantage older schools may have is better connections for clinical years and residencies... but I was very impressed at the youngest school I visited also.

In the end it will be what you put into it so make sure it is some place you feel like you can go day after day and give it your all.

 

[lokiperson]

I went by location then reputation when choosing. It just so happened that I'm located within 2 hours of the first two DO schools...so it worked out. My cousin is currently in the first class of SOMA's program which started 3 years ago.. He seems to like it and passed Step 1 on his frist try. He has had a little trouble with getting a decent education on some rotations, though. I'm sure this is bound to happen even at the most established schools, but I don't know. I'm not against going to a new school, but like JP, since I'm going to be spending that much money, I feel much more comfortable going to a place that's well established with a solid reputation.

 

[JaggerPlate]

I went by location then reputation when choosing. It just so happened that I'm located within 2 hours of the first two DO schools...so it worked out. My cousin is currently in the first class of SOMA's program which started 3 years ago.. He seems to like it and passed Step 1 on his frist try. He has had a little trouble with getting a decent education on some rotations, though. I'm sure this is bound to happen even at the most established schools, but I don't know. I'm not against going to a new school, but like JP, since I'm going to be spending that much money, I feel much more comfortable going to a place that's well established with a solid reputation.

I've heard that one you're going to is alright.

 

[ScottMontgomery]

Just look into your schools of interest, and if possible, go tour their campus. Check out the buildings, look at the background of the instructors as they probably came from other schools. Even though the school is new, doesn't mean the teaching is.

You want an atmosphere you like and want to be around. You will know right away if you like the school or not. Check out some schools see what you like, do your history check on the staff. As long as you don't just "flyby" to get through school where their curriculum might not be as rigorous as others, then you will be fine.