KCOM or TUCOM-MI

[mandongo]

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Hey guys,

I'm in the process of determining which school I would like to attend, and I have paid my deposits for both schools as of now but I need to make a FINAL decision by May 15. I'm VERY torn between the 2 schools.

TOURO (pros): local (and urban, near S.F.), ethnic diversity, weather, social atmosphere
KCOM (pros): reputation, great/solid rotation sites, state-of-the-art facilities

If there is anyone who can provide any other insight in terms of the academics, or reasons for choosing one school over the other it would be much appreciated. The following is also my main concern:

I want to practice in California, so would it be better to stick with TOURO as an easier approach since it is already partnered with rotation sites in Northern California? If I were to go to KCOM, wouldn't it be more difficult to secure a rotation (and subsequent residency) in California?

 

[dangit]

For Touro, I heard that the curriculum is systems based. Not sure about KCOM. That's something to consider.

The other thing is, Touro rotations are random. Despite your preference for rotation sites in California, you might have to go to New York, for example, because it's based on a random selection. I think they talked about it at the interview. Anyway, if you go to KCOM, you can still get a rotation site in California. You just have to let KCOM know early on in your 3rd year and get in touch with the rotation site of your choice.

Personally, I'd go somewhere you don't have to relocate for your rotations. I know a 3rd year Touro student right now who's in New York doing his rotation because he didn't get his pick in California.

If you really want to stay in California, make sure you do an elective rotation in California though. Also, it depends on the specialty. If you want to do internal medicine/primary care, you'll have an easier chance of getting a residency in Cali. If you want to specialize, it'll be more competitive. Just cuz you go to Touro doesn't guarantee you a residency spot in Cali.

Hey guys,

I'm in the process of determining which school I would like to attend, and I have paid my deposits for both schools as of now but I need to make a FINAL decision by May 15. I'm VERY torn between the 2 schools.

TOURO (pros): local (and urban, near S.F.), ethnic diversity, weather, social atmosphere
KCOM (pros): reputation, great/solid rotation sites, state-of-the-art facilities

If there is anyone who can provide any other insight in terms of the academics, or reasons for choosing one school over the other it would be much appreciated. The following is also my main concern:

I want to practice in California, so would it be better to stick with TOURO as an easier approach since it is already partnered with rotation sites in Northern California? If I were to go to KCOM, wouldn't it be more difficult to secure a rotation (and subsequent residency) in California?

 

[rddoms]

KCOM doesn't have a base rotation site in California, Arizona is the closest to Cali. I too want to practice in California, but there are no AOA residencies that I want there, so I am a few years off from being able to move there.

KCOM has many sites for rotations, and the site you match to (around 85% of people usually match their first choice) will be your base site for rotations. Electives are the key for auditioning/getting a residency. It also depends on the specialty you want to rotate in, as the more competitive ones are harder to get.

I love KCOM, and am extremely glad that I came here. They do a wonderful job of training us. If you have an acceptance to both, look at reputation, board scores, etc. I'd pick KCOM, but I am quite biased.

 

[Thriller]

The number one reason why I chose KCOM was because of the feedback that I got from current and past students there. Everybody I have talked to has really enjoyed it, and most people say they love it! I never heard such positive responses from students or alumni at any of the other schools I was considering.

I also am very interested in doing residency in California and recently asked a fourth year student how the rotation system at KCOM worked. If I remember correctly he said that 3rd year rotations are pretty much all set up and established for you and for your 4th year you can do whatever you want and set them up wherever you want. So I'm thinking that during my 4th year I can contact some places in California that I'm interested in and ask if I can go out there to do some rotations.

 

[rddoms]

As stated above, you do your 3rd year core rotations at your core site (matching process in 2nd year). Electives can be set up wherever you want. The regional coordinators are such an asset in this process, and are more than willing to help.

As far as student feedback, I can confirm Thriller's statement. I found out about KCOM my sophomore year of college, and the rest is history. Everyone may have a little gripe about this or that, but this place is amazing. If I could do it all over again, I would come here without a doubt!

 

[MasterShakeDO]

While I am almost certain KCOM is more together than Touro, if your goal is to end up in California, you can't argue with our residency placement. See DO match list thread, page 3.

IMHO, doing an away elective somewhere in CA improves your chances for that particular program only. Going to school in CA allows you to rotate at 5-8 hospitals in CA while also establishing your commitment to the area, thereby increasing your chances statewide. As of now at least half of the class completes their cores exclusively in CA. By the time you're in your 3rd year that number is expected to increase as the administration finalizes affiliation agreements.

 

[rddoms]

Good point MasterShake (do we have a Meatwad or Frylock on SDN?). Both are solid schools. I would worry more about what school fits you than where the school is. Both are important, but being part of a school that doesn't fit you would be quite unfortunate.

 

[mandongo]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I also had an issue that MasterShakeDO brought up about having more "face time" within California during rotations to improve chances of landing a California residency. Then again, I might consider doing a specialty instead and a California residency may be somewhat more difficult to place in.

 

[MasterShakeDO]

Even if you specialize going to California does not preclude you from getting residencies elsewhere. But yes, it would be wise to cast your net very wide if you do plan on a competitive specialty. I applied pretty broadly because I chose a very competitive specialty, but ended up matching in CA! PM me if you need specific advice.

@rddoms - haven't seen meatwad or frylock but for some reason there are many mastershakes on SDN and other message boards. Beware imposters! 🙂

 

[rddoms]

I actually saw a meatwad on here a bit ago, but I don't remember where. Anatomy and micro have been consuming me this week!