KCU-COM (Kansas City Location) vs California University of Science and Medicine

[Dr. Salmon]

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Hello Everyone,

I recently had a similar thread to this one. However, I would like to compare these two schools as well. I am interested in specializing as a physician, and prioritize my professional success over any other aspect.

KCU-COM (Kansas City):

Pros:

• Apart of the founding five original DO schools. I heard that this is arguably the most prestigious/best DO school there is
• Solid match rate for DO's
• High board scores for DO's
• Dual MBA degree, while still finishing in 4 years. I have an extremely high interest in healthcare management and business in medicine. I would be able to graduate with two degrees, while still finishing in 4 years.

Cons:

• DO Medical school
• More expensive
• Unsure of what the merger will mean
• OMM
• I would have to take COMLEX, as well as USMLE
• DO medical school!!!!

CUSM:

Pros:

• Of course, this is a MD medical school.
• California medical school
• possibly interested in a CA residency, though not really set on it. I would choose the most competitive, prestigious, or successful residency program possible regardless of location.
• I would only have to take the USMLE, and not the COMLEX in addition

Cons:

• No graduated classes yet
• No match rates of course
• not fully accredited
• no published Step scores yet

Summary: The first and foremost most important factor is which school will set me up for the most professional success. I am very interested in specializing. Location does not influence my decision. While CUSM is a MD program, it is brand new with no graduated class yet. KCU, though a DO program, is very well established with a reputable name and solid match rates. Which school would be the most beneficial to my career?

 

[DrStephenStrange]

MD and there should never be any doubts or questions around that matter. MD is always gonna be the better choice. Unless it's Caribbean MD or maybe CNU. Otherwise save yourself the trouble and go MD.

 

[Dr. Salmon]

Thank you for your input! I would like to hear as many opinions as possible.

 

[Developer]

CUSM 100%. They have their own in-house residency programs through ARMC, should have their new campus built by the time the 2020 entering class starts, and of course—it’s an MD school. You mentioned you’re interested in specializing so regardless of how well established KCU is, you’ll likely still face bias when applying to residency programs as a DO. Also, having to study for two sets of board exams is no fun.

 

[MedMeister]

Just to push back a little bit, I don’t necessarily think you’d be doing yourself any disservice by choosing the DO school either. Traditionally, the quality of education (that thing that actually helps you be a better physician) should be approximately the same. The only real exception I could see to this is in the cases of brand new schools that are still working out the kinks. So I have the same concerns you do about the new school.

Of course, most new medical schools that I’ve been exposed to (both MD and DO) have quickly adapted to newer curriculum practices and seem to be doing reasonably well. Their students have plenty of resources and felt that they are prepared for/did well on their Usmle/comlex.

DO’s may have to overcome a few shortsighted people in their future, but the gap in the public’s understanding of the two is narrowing as DO programs are becoming more popular/competitive. I don’t see residency matching as a significantly pressing issue in the future because of this. More established schools should actually have a better track record for getting their students better matches (not always true though).

I don’t think the tests should be worth too much consideration. In general, the tests cover the same info but the comlex includes the omm/omt component. Most of the DO students I’ve spoken with study for the USMLE, take the test, and then take the comlex a week later after Studying omm for the week. So it’s only an extra week of studying. If you are willing to make a significant life choice over that week, medicine is not the profession for you 😛

That being said, if you don’t think OMM is worth your time or you’re not interested in it, that’s an okay reason to not go DO.

So I’ll echo the most common comment on this forum— choose the school that you feel a better fit in. If there’s a huge cost discrepancy, a more familial environment in one, or you already have a support network near one, those could be the decision-makers.

 

[DrStephenStrange]

I don't totally disagree with the above post, but here's a few things to consider:

- Bias against DOs is a real thing in residency, and to say otherwise is unreasonable and ignorant. Yes, the bias is less than it used to be, but it's still significant. Going DO WILL close many doors permanently for your future career.

- Brand new MD school or not, it doesn't matter when you're comparing it against a DO school. LCME standards are much more rigorous than COCA on so many different levels that if all DO schools were to switch to MD right now many/majority (except for maybe a handful) of them would shut down, which is why a new MD school will still have more resources to work with than most DO schools.

- You said you wanna end up in California for residency. One thing that comes into play when applying to residency is location. Someone who is a California resident and/or have ties to the state will always have a better chance of matching to programs in that state. Additionally, going to schools in CA gives you another privilege to actually rotate in programs there as well which is even better.

CUSM WILL be the better choice for you in any way possible.

Sent from my SM-G973U using SDN mobile

 

[Dr. Salmon]

Dr.StephenStrange, your comments/advice has been both extremely insightful and helpful. Thank you.