Is CCOM's education worth 54k/yr? Or rather LECOM for 30k?

[sarahgrace]

Is CCOM's education worth 54k/yr? Or rather LECOM for 30k?

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[TopTomato]

Is CCOM's education worth 54k/yr? Or rather LECOM for 30k?

Did you get acceptances or both?

 

[Dreamstoo]

Is CCOM's education worth 54k/yr? Or rather LECOM for 30k?

Look at their match lists to see if the specialities you would like doing. That's what I would do personally

 

[Elevencents]

Match lists don't even tell half the story. You need to look at the complete package, not just tuition.

 

[kmich10]

Is CCOM's education worth 54k/yr? Or rather LECOM for 30k?

Personally, I didn't apply to CCOM because I think a 54k price tag plus cost of living near Chi city is absolutely absurd. It's an old, good school but there are better options for a lot less. I don't know if LECOM is one of them, I've never visited or interviewed there, but you're a DO when you're done no matter where you go...but one with significantly less debt. I know as premeds we usually don't consider the price tags bc just getting in is a battle and paying it back is so far away, but all of my friends and family who are residents or new attendings always say "I wish I took out less loans and was more conscious of my borrowing."

Just do some research using the search bar on SDN and see if you could deal w LECOM's "quirks" (attendance policy, dress code, etc).

 

[darklabel]

Is CCOM's education worth 54k/yr? Or rather LECOM for 30k?

While I am pre-med, I personally wouldn't. While CCOM is a great school, 23k+ extra in tuition alone plus the interest rate accruing doesn't make it worthwhile in my opinion.

 

[Jumpstartmy5HT]

This school was at the top of my list, but it is definitely no longer. I don't think the tuition is worth it for me, personally.

 

[BenzylAcetate]

I don't think anything a school offers can justify an extra 100k in principle debt burden. CCOM is very high on my list if I receive an HPSP scholarship, though.

 

[circulus vitios]

$24k/year is a massive difference, but you need to look at the whole package. CCOM has a proven record of pumping out specialists and there a lot of great hospitals in Chicago for 3rd and 4th year rotations. You also have to think about living conditions. I can't see myself living in Erie because it's depressing as hell and the snowfall is ridiculous.

 

[ph7]

$24k/year is a massive difference, but you need to look at the whole package. CCOM has a proven record of pumping out specialists and there a lot of great hospitals in Chicago for 3rd and 4th year rotations. You also have to think about living conditions. I can't see myself living in Erie because it's depressing as hell and the snowfall is ridiculous.

lmao, that was great

 

[hallowmann]

$24k a year extra is a lot. If given the option, I'd go to LECOM, but for many different/personal reasons. Mainly because I have zero interest in being in Chicago. If you are from Chicago or really want to end up there, CCOM is your best bet and probably worth the extra money, but if you just want to be a DO, I'd go somewhere cheaper. Really see what the lifestyle (city) and curriculum are like though. The last thing you want is to end up in a city you hate and have to put up with things like assigned seating, no recorded lectures, and a dress code (LECOM) when you hate that structure.

In terms of the winter, Erie really is terrible, but so is Chicago, especially that icy wind that cuts down to your bones. If you want to go to LECOM and like PBL I'd consider Bradenton or Seton Hill.

 

[StudyShy]

$24k a year extra is a lot. If given the option, I'd go to LECOM, but for many different/personal reasons. Mainly because I have zero interest in being in Chicago. If you are from Chicago or really want to end up there, CCOM is your best bet and probably worth the extra money, but if you just want to be a DO, I'd go somewhere cheaper. Really see what the lifestyle (city) and curriculum are like though. The last thing you want is to end up in a city you hate and have to put up with things like assigned seating, no recorded lectures, and a dress code (LECOM) when you hate that structure.

In terms of the winter, Erie really is terrible, but so is Chicago, especially that icy wind that cuts down to your bones. If you want to go to LECOM and like PBL I'd consider Bradenton or Seton Hill.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that the weather isn't too different in Erie compared with Chicago. I've lived in Minnesota and currently live near Ohio in Michigan and the weather is all about the same. You're going to get snow and sucky cold days at Erie and CCOM.

 

[circulus vitios]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that the weather isn't too different in Erie compared with Chicago. I've lived in Minnesota and currently live near Ohio in Michigan and the weather is all about the same. You're going to get snow and sucky cold days at Erie and CCOM.

Erie averages 90 inches of snow every year, with the past 10 years pushing 100 inches a year. Chicago averages 40 inches of snow every year.

It snows a lot more in Erie than in Chicago.

 

[StudyShy]

Erie averages 90 inches of snow every year, with the past 10 years pushing 100 inches a year. Chicago averages 40 inches of snow every year.

It snows a lot more in Erie than in Chicago.

It's still going to be cold and miserable in either place. It's not like we're comparing AZCOM with Erie. Maybe since I've experienced winter in many of the northern states, I really don't see much difference? The lake effect (I see this too since I live off Lake Erie but in Michigan) makes the weather a little strange, but there seem to be a lot of weather changes lately.

 

[Mosonik]

If all else is truly equal to you, I would say do the financially smart thing. While loans are available, this is a huge investment regardless.

However, CCOM is a fantastic program and will give you amazing opportunities and an education. Is it worth the cost diffferential? Only you can say, but things to consider are your family (if you have one, and if not your future potential family), specialties you may be interested in, and whether you would rather live in huge suburbia of the Midwest or a smaller region of the East Coast. Sure it is early to consider but think about your long term goals and where you want to live. Gaining regional connections means so much in medicine.
And for the record, I am sure LECOM will give you a fine education and give you a chance to pursue your professional goals.

 

[Anicetus]

I could be wrong, but if we are interested in ACGME residencies that are not in proximity to LECOM or Chicago, isn't a DO just a DO to them? I don't recall most ACGME residencies knowing which DO schools are more prestigious than others. I feel like that would be more of the case for AOA...

So for ACGME, would LECOM be the best bargain? Get the degree, get the good Board score then try to get an interview?

 

[user3]

a lot of people simply do not like the atmosphere of LECOM, and end up choosing other programs despite the tuition. I have even heard of people that have interviewed there that said the school just "scared" them.

 

[circulus vitios]

a lot of people simply do not like the atmosphere of LECOM, and end up choosing other programs despite the tuition. I have even heard of people that have interviewed there that said the school just "scared" them.

I don't know about scary, but there was a cadaver on display when we walked into the anatomy lab. I thought that was kind of f'd up, especially since other schools covered their cadavers before we walked in.

 

[Mosonik]

Yeah... don't believe I've ever heard anyone gets into any ACGME residency based on the reputation of one DO program over another. It is really about Boards first, then other app factors. But some of your preceptors or faculty may have personal connections or joint appointments with ACGME programs or affiliations so in that case it may matter to some extent.

In regard to your second series of questions... that may be true but the problem is medical education doesn't happen in a vacuum. I am a HUGE believer in the difference it makes to go to a place, if you can, that is a good fit for you. If LECOM/CCOMs environment, structure or policies drives you up the wall then it will at some point influence your outcomes. That is certainly something to weigh

 

[rken3]

I received acceptances to both schools and I'm pretty much 50/50 about which I should attend(I have no other ii's currently and I'm not expecting any to materialize). I'll list what I think are the pros and cons for each school. These are based off my interview day impressions, don't bite my head off if they're inaccurate. What's really putting me in a bind is my LECOM deposit is due in 25 days.

CCOM Pros
- I liked the area much better than Erie(I'm comfortable in suburbia that's close to a major city)
-Newer facilities

CCOM Cons
-Tuition(56977) + Fees= about 60k
-Cost of Living- 10k+ (or around 2k if my mom's cousin lets me live at his house w/o paying rent)

LECOM Pros
-Tuition 30k+
-PBL, DSP, etc.(Not really a pro for me)

LECOM Cons
-Ruralish, far from attractive major cities


If anyone goes to either of these schools, please do chime in on any of the points I made. The one point I'm having most difficulty on is quality of rotations. My impression is CCOM has stronger rotations, but I can't say that with any confidence(as I haven't rotated or even entered medical school)

 

[Anicetus]

I think if you are interested in ACGME and LOVE PBL, then go for LECOM.

 

[Elevencents]

If that's all you have for pro's and con's, you're basically looking at 25k/yr to live in Chicago vs Erie.

 

[mommy2three]

I am a fourth year who is matching family med out of CCOM
I have received a plethora of invites - including some well respected AGCME programs
I am happy to answer any and all questions