KCOM vs KCUMB???

[roody41]

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Hello!

So I was recently accepted to both ATSU KCOM and KCUMB! Many thanks to Chocolate Bear and everyone else that's responded to my posts throughout the last few months, your help was very much appreciated!

Any opinions on where to go? They both have their advantages in terms of surrounding area, housing, facilities, and student dynamic.....anyone have any insight as to which is generally regarded as a better school? Does either have an advantage in match rates?

One thing I REALLY like about KCUMB is the integrated systems curriculum, and I'm having trouble getting a clear answer on whether or not KCOM has adopted a similar program? Anyone know for sure?

 

[BAM502]

I am trying to make that decision as well right now. I really liked the cirriculum at KCUMB and think it would be a really good way for the material to stick in your mind. Right now I am leaning toward KCOM. I am from a rural area and the location is a major factor in this decision. KCOM also has had a higher 1st time pass rate on the COMLEX I for the past few years. KCOM's cirriculum is a mix really. For now though it is mostly disciplend. I was told that they are in the middle of converting to and adding more pbl and small group learning activities. A freind of mine goes there now as an MSI and said she spends half her day in traditional lecture, and the other half involved with labs and pbl. In sum, I would say you probably couldnt go wrong with either school. Good luck in youre decision!

 

[DiverDoc]

I am trying to make that decision as well right now. I really liked the cirriculum at KCUMB and think it would be a really good way for the material to stick in your mind. Right now I am leaning toward KCOM. I am from a rural area and the location is a major factor in this decision. KCOM also has had a higher 1st time pass rate on the COMLEX I for the past few years. KCOM's cirriculum is a mix really. For now though it is mostly disciplend. I was told that they are in the middle of converting to and adding more pbl and small group learning activities. A freind of mine goes there now as an MSI and said she spends half her day in traditional lecture, and the other half involved with labs and pbl. In sum, I would say you probably couldnt go wrong with either school. Good luck in youre decision!

Source on the board scores????? Anyways, I really like the curriculum here at KCUMB. If your a huge fan of OMT than go to KCOM. We learn it here, but its not emphasized as much as it is at KCOM. KCUMB's rotation list trumps KCOM's IMO

 

[rddoms]

KCOM's curriculum is moving from the dicipline based method, albeit slowly. That being said, KCOM does a great job in keeping most classes in line with one another (Anatomy, OTM, and The Complete DOctor work on the same region of the body throughout the year). Rotations are great at either school, as you will have the opportunity to have a base rotation site at some of the top osteopathic residency hospitals. I would say go to KCOM, but then again I am a biased student! Congrats on your acceptances, and good luck in making your decision.

 

[rmsgolfer]

I liked the feel of KCOM. The staff is fantastic and the students seemed like people enjoying their education and not just zombies surviving. Also, KCOM is a well known and respected medical school (regardless of DO or MD) with a well known track record of producing great docs.

Don't think you an go wrong either way. Congrats!

 

[BAM502]

My source on the board scores were straight from admissions from both schools. I emailed them both, but deleted the email a few days ago. From what I remember though, Phill from KCUMB said for the past two years was around 93-94% for first time pass rate. Ian from KCOM gave me the numbers 97-98% for first time pass rate on the COMLEX I.

 

[Terpskins99]

I liked the feel of KCOM. The staff is fantastic and the students seemed like people enjoying their education and not just zombies surviving. Also, KCOM is a well known and respected medical school (regardless of DO or MD) with a well known track record of producing great docs.

Don't think you an go wrong either way. Congrats!

I definitely think there is something to be said for being at the first DO program.

You will receive a solid education at either program. Go with where you feel you will be happier.

 

[WDeagle]

Both these schools are among the top DO schools around. Both have high rates of specialty matches. KCUMB has a really high percentage of their class match into surgical sub-specialties(might be the highest for DO schools). KCOM produces alot of specialists as well. Both are part of the original 5 osteopathic schools and are well established. KCUMB has a pretty cool curriculum. KCOM is sort of in transition with their curriculum which may be something to consider. KCOM has a better OMT department and spends alot more time in OMT lab. KCOM also has a much better OMT lab however, KCUMB has a much better anatomy lab. Both have crappy gyms but at least in kansas city you have access to lots of other gyms. The biggest difference is probably location. Kansas City is a pretty cool city with alot to do(when you have the time) but isnt as congested as cities of similar size. However, some people like living in small towns like kirksville. Another thing KCUMB has is the dual degree programs. The MBA at Rockhurst and the MA in bioethics. Also, KCUMB has a much bigger class size than KCOM.
I wouldnt really worry about the 3% differnce in comlex first time pass rates. Both schools tend to do really well on boards(both comlex and usmle). It seems like when people fail the boards it has less to do with the school and more to do with the individual. In the end it comes down to curriculum and possible location versus strength of OMT department as the only major differences.

 

[rddoms]

KCOM also has a dual degree program: MS in Biomedical sciences (Research track or human anatomy track). Both schools produce around 55% specialists (both schools are in the top 5 for this). KCOM also has the original American School of Osteopathy INSIDE the Tinning building.

Again, I am biased, but KCOM is the Mecca of osteopathic medicine.

 

[rajaholick]

i didn't interview at KCOM
but loved KCUMB
and kansas city vs kirksville is a no contest...

 

[rddoms]

i didn't interview at KCOM
but loved KCUMB
and kansas city vs kirksville is a no contest...

While the above is true, it is nice having less distraction.

 

[WDeagle]

I always hear this argument about schools in rural areas(KCOM, WVUSOM, LMU, etc). However, I dont understand how having less options of how to spend your free time equates to having less distractions. It would seem that most, if not all, students who get into medical school are going to be disciplined enough to study when they need to study. If somebody is having trouble focusing on school at a particular moment they are going to be distracted no matter where they are. In my opinion anywhere with a tv, internet(obviously), or significant others is a place with lots of distractions. Im not trying to argue with the previous post, i am just curious if people really feel as though a rural location is a better environment for medical school.

 

[spicedmanna]

While the above is true, it is nice having less distraction.

If true that your pass rate is slightly higher, then your statement above might account for some of the reason. 😀

On a slightly more serious note, I don't see how anyone can choose for you OP. Both are good schools and do a great job preparing their students for residency.

KCUMB's curriculum is basically system-based. You have one introduction section meant to fill in the blanks and to get everyone on the same page, then the rest are done by organ-system. There are plusses and minuses to this sort of curriculum. I feel that this approach has a strong clinical orientation and helps you organize your basic science in the way you'll basically be using it clinically, during rotations and beyond. One down side, however, is that you tend to cover basic science topics out of order and it can be hard to draw a complete and coherent picture of what's going on; in other words, it isn't as well integrated as maybe a traditional course would be, so you sometimes don't get how things fit together until the very end. Indeed, some things might even get lost in the mix, while you might hear one type of topic, say, rheumatoid arthritis, lots of times. I'm studying for boards now and it's just amazing how things are now finally coming together and making sense. Also, of note is that quite a few schools have now copied KCUMB's curriculum, for what it's worth.

I don't know how KCOM's curriculum is set up, so I can't comment. I'm sure it's good. I've heard nothing but good things about our sister school up north.

I don't know, OP. Take some time to feel out how the school environment works for you. It's a bit hard to gauge just from the interview day, because schools are trying to market to you. Maybe go visit both again, try them on for size, and see which just feels better to you. See which one you feel more welcome at. Also, take a look at the rotation site list and see which school has the sites you might like to choose from. Lastly, you cannot neglect location. From what I gather, there isn't much to do in Kirksville, which as mentioned above, can be a good thing. There's much more to in the KC area. You need to figure out which will work better for you.

One final note: KCUMB has the Score 1 for Health program, where you go out during your first and second years and do health screening on elementary school kids in the metro area. This is pretty unique and I know that I've learned a whole heck of a lot from these events. Timing of these events can be a bit annoying at times, especially when you trying to prepare for exams, but overall, it has been a very valuable experience. I've done quite a few well-patient physical exams on kids now and I bet this will come in handy when I start rotations.

 

[roody41]

Thanks for responding guys. I'm still undecided, but I went ahead and sent in the initial payment to KCOM to save my spot. I'd say for the moment I'm leaning more towards Kirksville because the students there seem to be a little more active and engaged in the campus community (through intramurals, 5k runs, Still-Well program, etc.).

To anyone that currently attends KCUMB, how would you assess the current level of student engagement/involvement in the campus community? Are there any intramural leagues or campus-centered social events? When I interviewed there I was blown away by the facilities but it sort of struck me as kind of a 'commuter school'....

Thoughts?

 

[spicedmanna]

To anyone that currently attends KCUMB, how would you assess the current level of student engagement/involvement in the campus community? Are there any intramural leagues or campus-centered social events?

Yes, all of the above exist at KCUMB and students are quite active in clubs, leagues and common social events.

When I interviewed there I was blown away by the facilities but it sort of struck me as kind of a 'commuter school'....

Hardly. I'd say that a good many students, if not a majority, actually live in the CT, which is just across the street from campus. That being the case, I would hardly consider it commuter. I'm sure the CT has it's own community and such, but since I don't live there, I cannot comment too much on that aspect. However, my sense is that you are probably picking up on the fact that the campus, at least from my perspective, isn't very conducive to hanging out. The facilities don't currently exist for that and the predominant ethos is more business-oriented and tends to by clique-y, or something like that. My observation, from attending KCUMB for two years, is that you basically attend classes (of course, you have the group that never shows up to class, accept for the mandatory events; this phenomenon tends to increase in frequency as your two pre-clinical years tick by) and go home, or go study at Smith Hall, which has very limited capacity anyway. This doesn't mean that people don't hang out together, play sports together, or attend club meetings and such. We do. It's just not as...oh how do I say it...student-centered. KCUMB, at least my impression of it (and keep that in mind, as viewpoints are sure to differ) is a probably a bit less student-friendly than I originally thought it would be from interview day. Despite that, though, and I cannot emphasize this enough, we have a lot of fun together and are very active in the campus as well as the community-at-large. We are a good group and my overall experience has been positive. It's the unusual things you remember. I can't tell you how much fun I've had over the most grueling of things, like staying up until midnight at the anatomy lab preparing for the practical with my classmates. The part that I really don't enjoy as much is that it tends to be very clique-y here, but that may vary from class to class.

Well, I hope I'm expressing my point. It's my honest assessment. I'm sure others are going to disagree, but this is just my experience of it.