How on earth can I possible choose???

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Greetings, I am having a really hard time deciding which DO program to attend. I've been to several schools and they all look great at the interview, but it's really challenging to find out exactly what they are about. Does anyone out there have a system or know of a way to measure how these schools rank against one another, specifically Western University, Midwestern Arizona, Midwestern Chicago and Nova Southeastern. These are my top schools and it's a tough decision.

 

[Jpc984]

When you went to each school, which school did you feel went with your personality the best? Do you want the option of going to class or not going to class? Do you want to live in a big city or little city? Which school do you keep thinking about all the time?

 

[DOcat]

i definately had the same problem until i finally got "that feeling" everyone talks about where you really feel at home at the school. I made a chart on excel, so i could easily compare the different qualities for my top choice schools (important to me were : class size, campus setting, students/cadaver, grading system, COMLEX pass rate, residency match rate to 1st or 2nd choice, tools for classroom (mp3, note taking service, powerpoints), out of class tools (simulation and standardized patients))

 

[cabound]

When you went to each school, which school did you feel went with your personality the best? Do you want the option of going to class or not going to class? Do you want to live in a big city or little city? Which school do you keep thinking about all the time?

I think these are great criteria when making the decision. For me, it's been hard as well, and I guess (depending on if I get in) I'm gonna go with the one where my gut feeling just told me "hey, I could really be happy here." Others factors to consider are:

curriculum style - a certain style might work for you like tests every week for discipline or more independence;

location - this is HUGE for me!! but not for others... not necessarily the school itself, but what all is close by.

tuition - I know right now everything is classified as "some big #" but in the end if you end up saving 25-50,000 it might be nice.

lifestyle - some schools have a strong community feel among the students, whereas others seem to have more of a "commuter-campus" setup, where you go to class and then go home... again, it depends on your style.

If I were you, (which I am actually in the same position as you) I would make a chart or something with all the schools and the criteria that are important to you, and I think the answer will surface itself naturally!

Good luck, and remember, in the end be EXTREMELY excited that you're actually making a choice between different medical schools! That's awesome!👍

 

[cabound]

i definately had the same problem until i finally got "that feeling" everyone talks about where you really feel at home at the school. I made a chart on excel, so i could easily compare the different qualities for my top choice schools (important to me were : class size, campus setting, students/cadaver, grading system, COMLEX pass rate, residency match rate to 1st or 2nd choice, tools for classroom (mp3, note taking service, powerpoints), out of class tools (simulation and standardized patients))

DOcat, what have you decided on???

 

[Jpc984]

"lifestyle - some schools have a strong community feel among the students, whereas others seem to have more of a "commuter-campus" setup, where you go to class and then go home... again, it depends on your style."

This is a very big criteria for me as well.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

Choose the place with the hottest chicks.

 

[DOcat]

i'm set on PCOM!! it was a really tough decision, but I've decided not to attend my UNECOM interview and accept PCOM's invite. Though UNECOM fits my style, PCOM offers far more opportunities being in a such a medically-focused city. And i totally felt at home there...met like 10 students just in a class i sat in on. They all offered their help and a third year even helped me find my way there! In the end, alot of the education will be the same...you just have to decide if you could stand being there for 4 years. Or, if you want to travel for rotations, go somewhere that doesnt offer on-site rotations.

Good luck!!

what about you cabound?? are you actually CA-bound??

 

[GreenShirt]

Not to add pressure, but choose carefully. Once you go to a medical school, you're pretty much locked in b/c there's no easy way to transfer.

I think curriculum and location were the two biggest factors I took into account when choosing my school.

 

[Nickelpennykid]

If the tuition is pretty much the same it only depends on what you want to go into. If you don't plan on doing a competative residency, then go with the one you feel the most comfortable with, or the cheapest one. If you are sure you want to do a certain type of residency (and I mean certain) the only criteria should be choosing the school with the best clinical rotation sites and a residency program associated with that school and it's hospital network. It is not a guarentee that you will get into that program, but there is no denying that being at a school that has a residency program for what you want to go into (such as surgery) really helps your chances because you get more face time than the avg med student with thier staff/residents/program director. Chances are this is going to be in a city/large area. Location (unless you want to live near home or have a family and can't go far) doesn't matter...you won't be outside enough to enjoy the scenery / social scene.

 

[SkiMonkey]

DOcat,
would you ever want to post that list you made for comparing each school? It sounds like a great idea, but I haven't been able to find some of the info for some schools and would like to see what you came up with. Thanks

 

[Phlame217]

If you want in depth school information, buy the 15 dollar package at usnews.com on graduate school rankings in the medical school area. Some of the best info available.

 

[Arabella]

Do you want the option of going to class or not going to class?

Which schools give you this option? Just wondering b/c I have kids and this could come in handy.

 

[medhacker]

Which schools give you this option?

PCOM

 

[RockfordWF]

Greetings, I am having a really hard time deciding which DO program to attend. I've been to several schools and they all look great at the interview, but it's really challenging to find out exactly what they are about. Does anyone out there have a system or know of a way to measure how these schools rank against one another, specifically Western University, Midwestern Arizona, Midwestern Chicago and Nova Southeastern. These are my top schools and it's a tough decision.

Decide what your priorities are, as these schools are very different. I would first choose where you want to live geographically, since they are all good schools.

 

[JaggerPlate]

I don't understand these threads .... they jump from step 1 straight to step 3.

What do I mean (and no I am not referencing any type of medical exam) ...

Step 1: get interviews
Step 2: get accepted
Step 3: figure out where you want to go


Note: If you do have acceptances from all these schools ... then I get it. If you don't, I personally would focus on that first, then go from there.

 

[Jpc984]

Which schools give you this option? Just wondering b/c I have kids and this could come in handy.

Nova, Lecom (if LBP), both have required attendance. CCOM and KCOM do not have attendance policies. Of course, some courses may have attendance policies, such as labs and anatomy. MSUCOM also does not have attendance for all of their classes.

 

[EEL08]

I was thinking the exact same thing as Jagger.

 

[Tol]

I don't understand these threads .... they jump from step 1 straight to step 3

While I'm sure that it's not true for all, I think quite a few folks out there have been offered admission at multiple schools. The interview season is in full swing and the Dec 15 deadline is coming up.