ICOM vs AZCOM

[myUniqueUsername]

I'm super excited to have the option to attend either of these two schools. I've thought over each option a million times in my head and I'd love to hear the opinions of some others on SDN. Here is my personal simplified list of pros and cons.

ICOM

• Significantly more affordable

AZCOM

• proven and better connected

Some important things about my situation:

• no undergraduate debt and good credit so private loans are not a huge deal for me. If I do go into a longer residency I can re-finance and keep the payments manageable until I can start making real payments.
• No preference systems vs traditional curriculum
• No preference for either location. I'm excited about both Meridian and Glendale
  
• I have family in Boise area and it is likely we could live rent-free in their basement
• Not sure what kind of medicine I want to practice. There are definitely some decently competitive specialties that I'm interested in but I'm not opposed to the idea of primary care either. I think I might even enjoy it.
  
• I have connections that will allow me to do a little bit of research no matter where I go.

Is AZCOM worth the extra $20,000 and possibly more per year? I know it is the more proven and better connected school but in the end I will get the same degree.

Will the extra $80,000 plus interest open that many extra doors for me assuming I'm able to score well on boards and have connections to do a little bit of research no matter where I go?

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[Norwood-Sano]

I'm super excited to have the option to attend either of these two schools. I've thought over each option a million times in my head and I'd love to hear the opinions of some others on SDN. Here is my personal simplified list of pros and cons.

ICOM

• Significantly more affordable

AZCOM

• proven and better connected

Some important things about my situation:

• no undergraduate debt and good credit so private loans are not a huge deal for me. If I do go into a longer residency I can re-finance and keep the payments manageable until I can start making real payments.
• No preference systems vs traditional curriculum
• No preference for either location. I'm excited about both Meridian and Glendale
  
• I have family in Boise area and it is likely we could live rent-free in their basement
• Not sure what kind of medicine I want to practice. There are definitely some decently competitive specialties that I'm interested in but I'm not opposed to the idea of primary care either. I think I might even enjoy it.
  
• I have connections that will allow me to do a little bit of research no matter where I go.

Is AZCOM worth the extra $20,000 and possibly more per year? I know it is the more proven and better connected school but in the end I will get the same degree.

Will the extra $80,000 plus interest open that many extra doors for me assuming I'm able to score well on boards and have connections to do a little bit of research no matter where I go?

AZCOM

 

[deleted953743]

ICOM. I've heard that the environment at ICOM is wonderful. Even though it's a new school, it has the seal of approval from the Adcoms I've seen on here. Also, do not underestimate the value of your familial support system nearby - if you have a strong relationship with them, you'll be glad to be near it. It's true that you'll be getting the same degree from ICOM & AZCOM, therefore your performance on boards is the only factor on where you get placed for residency. The school doesn't make it or break it for you. Choose where you know you'll have a better quality of life --

P.S After interviewing at AT Still and hearing feedback from those who interviewed at AZCOM, apparently AZCOM has an extremely toxic environment (grades, not P/F). I had an uber driver who was an AZCOM dropout citing the same reason. I was also angrily confronted by an random AZCOM student, WHILE I WAS OUT FOR LUNCH, who claimed that every school's environment would be competitive so toxicity is a given........................did not even deny the toxic claims. So many signs told me to cancel that AZCOM interview😕

 

[Norwood-Sano]

Can't comment on the environment at AZCOM but have also heard ICOM has a great vibe to it.

However, ICOM is too much in it's infancy. You will not have alumni or even 3rd and 4th years to reach out to when it comes time for rotations, boards, connections etc. Also I have "heard" that many of the rotation sites ICOM are setting up have never had med students before, so who knows what the level of these rotations will be like.

Do not let the bells and whistles of a new school cloud your judgement with "how clean it is" or "state of the art facilities and technology" as these will mean nothing in terms of your clinical education.

If ICOM was your ONLY choice than there could be more of an argument I believe, but: old/established>>>>>new - almost every time