I need opinions pretty please!

[WaffleDoc]

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So I've been accepted to LECOM-E, WVSOM, and RVUCOM, and waitlisted at AZCOM, which is my top choice school. I withdrew from LECOM, and I'm probably going to withdraw from WVSOM, mostly because of location. I live in California, and I did my undergrad in Pennsylvania, and I really, truly hated being so far from my family. So location is a big factor in my school decision. That being said, I would really, truly prefer to get the hell out of California, because I hate this state haha.

So the question is this: I've been accepted to RVUCOM, which is my current second choice, and I think I would be very happy at this school. I'm doing the hpsp scholarship, so I'm not worried about the financial aid bit there, and I'm okay with them being a new school since they're already putting up bangin numbers. BUT I was invited to an interview at WesternU for the 10th. Do you think I should attend the interview? I like that the school is more established than RVUCOM, but I don't like the location, and I don't want to spend more money on this application cycle than I absolutely have to. I'm also kind of weirdly worried that I might like this school as much as RVUCOM, which would make my current decision difficult instead of simple.

Thoughts? Don't freak out about me for that last bit - I know it's a weird thought haha.

 

[DrWily]

That being said, I would really, truly prefer to get the hell out of California, because I hate this state haha.

BLASPHEMY! How can you hate the greatest state in the world? WE HAVE DISNEYLAND.

There's no denying that Western gets a lot of love on this forum, and probably for good reason. If you can see yourself there for any reason, you should go to the interview. What's a couple large $$ in the grand scheme of things? Don't wanna be like "WUT IF?" later on.

However, if you have no love for Western whatsoever, then obviously don't go.

I'll make you a deal: Get into Western, trade me for AZCOM, and we can both rock out like pre-med rockstars.

 

[Iliketoytles]

Just go to RVU. lol.

 

[scotchtapetest]

So I've been accepted to LECOM-E, WVSOM, and RVUCOM, and waitlisted at AZCOM, which is my top choice school. I withdrew from LECOM, and I'm probably going to withdraw from WVSOM, mostly because of location. I live in California, and I did my undergrad in Pennsylvania, and I really, truly hated being so far from my family. So location is a big factor in my school decision. That being said, I would really, truly prefer to get the hell out of California, because I hate this state haha.

So the question is this: I've been accepted to RVUCOM, which is my current second choice, and I think I would be very happy at this school. I'm doing the hpsp scholarship, so I'm not worried about the financial aid bit there, and I'm okay with them being a new school since they're already putting up bangin numbers. BUT I was invited to an interview at WesternU for the 10th. Do you think I should attend the interview? I like that the school is more established than RVUCOM, but I don't like the location, and I don't want to spend more money on this application cycle than I absolutely have to. I'm also kind of weirdly worried that I might like this school as much as RVUCOM, which would make my current decision difficult instead of simple.

Thoughts? Don't freak out about me for that last bit - I know it's a weird thought haha.

Well, that's an understatement!

I am biased against for-profit schools and being a brand new school certainly doesn't help the situation! They are not even fully accredited yet! (simply b/c they are a new school)!

I, personally, would go to Western U (or any other DO school) over RVU any day. Western U is one of the best DO schools (admission stats/match list). At most it will cost you $1,000 (if that) to attend that interview. That's nothing compared to a decision that will certainly affect the REST OF YOUR LIFE!

In four years when you are applying to residency, it is much easier to get interviews/match from an established school over a new school (especially a new for-profit school)!

Also in the list you provided (disregarding location) IMHO: Western U > LECOM-E >> AZCOM > WVSOM >>>> RVUCOM

 

[WaffleDoc]

BLASPHEMY! How can you hate the greatest state in the world? WE HAVE DISNEYLAND.

There's no denying that Western gets a lot of love on this forum, and probably for good reason. If you can see yourself there for any reason, you should go to the interview. What's a couple large $$ in the grand scheme of things? Don't wanna be like "WUT IF?" later on.

However, if you have no love for Western whatsoever, then obviously don't go.

I'll make you a deal: Get into Western, trade me for AZCOM, and we can both rock out like pre-med rockstars.

If real life worked this way, do you have ay idea what I would do to get an acceptance to this school to trade you with?! Obscene amounts of money and presents would be offered as bribes. Just sayin.

Also, I've been informed that Disneyworld is like Disneyland on Speed, sooooo yeah... Disneyland is a small section of Disneyworld. That's just straight up mind blowing.

 

[DrWily]

If real life worked this way, do you have ay idea what I would do to get an acceptance to this school to trade you with?! Obscene amounts of money and presents would be offered as bribes. Just sayin.

Also, I've been informed that Disneyworld is like Disneyland on Speed, sooooo yeah... Disneyland is a small section of Disneyworld. That's just straight up mind blowing.

I don't believe it. DisneyLAND is the happiest place on Earth. By this, Disneyland is happier than Disneyworld.


Unless.... they LIED to me?!

 

[WaffleDoc]

I don't believe it. DisneyLAND is the happiest place on Earth. By this, Disneyland is happier than Disneyworld.


Unless.... they LIED to me?!

Can't be! Everything they say on TV is truth.

 

[Mbeas]

Also in the list you provided (disregarding location) IMHO: Western U > LECOM-E >> AZCOM > WVSOM >>>> RVUCOM

👍

Although I would switch AZCOM and LECOM-E, because I have a bias against the LECOM's due to the elementary rules (I mean "professional" rules). But, they do have good board scores and match pretty well, so if you don't mind the rules the I'd say that's a good assessment.

And yes, RVU remains dead last.

 

[DrWily]

Waffle,

Have you sent a letter of intent to AZCOM? They always go into the waitlist every year. Sending a letter may boost you up near the top of the waitlist. Also, go to Western and get accepted. I'm on the bandwagon RVU hater-squad, drinking that haterade and passing it out.

HSPS or no, I'd rather go to a more established school. Even if AZCOM is still "young," it has a nice older sister that's been around since 1900 (CCOM). LECOM-E is in BFE. No thanks

 

[doingit9]

Waffle,

Have you sent a letter of intent to AZCOM? They always go into the waitlist every year. Sending a letter may boost you up near the top of the waitlist. Also, go to Western and get accepted. I'm on the bandwagon RVU hater-squad, drinking that haterade and passing it out.

HSPS or no, I'd rather go to a more established school. Even if AZCOM is still "young," it has a nice older sister that's been around since 1900 (CCOM). LECOM-E is in BFE. No thanks

I would go to the more established school. Keep pursuing Western. I know financially it may suck now but you will benefit from it in the future.

 

[WaffleDoc]

Waffle,

Have you sent a letter of intent to AZCOM? They always go into the waitlist every year. Sending a letter may boost you up near the top of the waitlist. Also, go to Western and get accepted. I'm on the bandwagon RVU hater-squad, drinking that haterade and passing it out.

HSPS or no, I'd rather go to a more established school. Even if AZCOM is still "young," it has a nice older sister that's been around since 1900 (CCOM). LECOM-E is in BFE. No thanks

I did send AZCOM a letter of intent in like... october. I should proooob send them another one soon, actually. And you keep on sippin that haterade. 😛 I still like the school, and have no problem with its for-profit status or its current lack of accreditation. From what I saw and heard during my interview, they're well on their way to acreditation, and they're putting up amazing numbers, so they're obviously doing something right. And, granted, it may be easier for someone at Western to get their rotations because Western has established itself, but if I put up the numbers, and do the work and the legwork, I don't think I'll have too much harder of a time. And what doesn't kill ya only makes you stronger, right? 😉

I still haven't cancelled my interview at Western, so that may be a super last-minute decision, which I haaaate doing because that sucks for the school and other prospective students. :-\

 

[Mbeas]

I did send AZCOM a letter of intent in like... october. I should proooob send them another one soon, actually. And you keep on sippin that haterade. 😛 I still like the school, and have no problem with its for-profit status or its current lack of accreditation. From what I saw and heard during my interview, they're well on their way to acreditation, and they're putting up amazing numbers, so they're obviously doing something right.

But, it is a pretty big deal unfortunately....

 

[Cornell08]

Yeah, I'd be very careful with RVU even though I have heard good things about its students and its facilities. Lots of medical schools come and go (in my native PA several closed or merged as recently as the 90s or early 00's) and who knows how strong they are financially, could they weather another recession, etc. Like the average medical student, I'd assume they have a heavy load burden on their shoulders opening a new campus and staffing it. There's a lot that could go wrong so take it with a grain of salt.

 

[DrWily]

How are RVU's rotation sites? I've heard some good and bad things, but nothing recent. Any opinions on that? That's the major major deciding factor between schools. You can do well on the boards at any school given you work for it so numbers don't mean anything. It's the quality of training you receive at your 3rd year core rotations that is most important.

 

[WaffleDoc]

http://www.rockyvistauniversity.org/dept_clinicalmed.asp

 

[DrWily]

http://www.rockyvistauniversity.org/dept_clinicalmed.asp

These names of medical centers mean nothing to me because I don't know what they are!

 

[ManBroDude]

You RVU haters must have drank the SDN koolaid (haterade). Not to have another RVU bash-fest here, but if she likes the school and she ain't paying for it, well by golly, why not?! You can hate on a for profit school all you want, but I dare you to look at the finances for non-profit schools and the for-profit school and tell me that both aren't run like businesses. Because they all are, in our current American system. The only tangible negative, in my humble opinion, is that residency directors stick their noses up with ethical snobbiness and close the door on you for your chance to rotate or do your residency. Hard to tell yet how widespread this effect is or will be, but in the end I imagine a strong medical student will always be a strong medical student, regardless of school.

I'd go to Western, if you can spare it. It's established, yada yada. You want to get out of CA, I understand. You'll know in your gut when you finish interviewing, but I think you'll owe it to yourself just to check it out.