KCU - Joplin vs ATSU-KCOM

[Calik9]

KCU PROS:

• Tuition is 47k
• P/F curriculum
• Facilities are brand new
• Administration really seems to care about their students
• Affiliated hospital with the Joplin campus (not too sure how big of a deal this is compared to other programs)
• Joplin has a larger population than Kirksville; 50,000 vs 17,000. KCU claims Joplin gets upwards of 400k people during the workweek and the internet says 200k, but don’t know how accurate that truly is.
• Not as OMM focused
• Dedicated board prep for COMLEX
• Strong match rates/placements assuming all things equal to Kansas City (which is unverified as first class is about to graduate)

KCU CONS:

• Lack of nightlife and doesn’t seem too big on the social scene
• Hasn’t graduated a class yet and can’t verify if residency placements/locations will be similar to Kansas City (biggest flag for me)
• From what I’ve heard, doesn’t have dedicated time for Step exams
• Unsure if I have the same odds of rotating outside of Joplin as students from Kansas City during years 3/4

KCOM PROS:

• Founding DO school (not sure how important prestige is between KCU/KCOM)
• Solid curriculum and rotation sites
• Heavy emphasis on ultrasound
• Was impressed with the university’s opportunities during my interview day

KCOM CONS:

• Tuition is more expensive at 57k
• Graded courses
• Students really seemed to emphasize “although it’s a small town, it gives us more time to study” which makes me think that’s an easy way to say there’s no social scene there amongst students (not a deal breaker as I’ll likely be studying most of the time, just something I noticed)
• Have to move for years 3 and 4
• Middle of nowhere northeast Missouri

Locations are not ideal, but I’m very humbled and grateful for these opportunities. Any insight on Kirksville vs Joplin locations would be appreciated!

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[Calik9]

Bumping for visibility!

 

[Medic_To_Doc2018]

Curious as to which you chose.

A new school doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to be bad. They would be more receptive to student feedback, for sure. And P/F is less stressful, for sure.

I am a current ATSU-KCOM student if you have any questions about here.

 

[BellaWriterChic]

KCU Joplin student here. Nightlife seems important now but really you don't have much time for it. And I feel there is a decent amount of things to do on off weekends that are close. You are close to Springfield, MO, KC, Tulsa and Bentonville, AR which all have different things going on if you want that. While there is no "dedicated time for step" most people take step and comlex close together anyway so in a way there is. I also have classmates at sites outside of Joplin for rotations. You get just as much chance as KC students to go to the other sites if you so choose and there is space. You enter the same lotto; they are not separate. Also, exams are taken at the same time, lectures are shared, some faculty is shared so essentially you will get the same education in preclinical years in Joplin as a KC student.

 

[Calik9]

@Medic_To_Doc2018 It was a very difficult decision and I'm humbled to have the opportunity to choose between programs. I chose KCU - Joplin. I realized I couldn't go wrong either way as they're both excellent programs with great residency match lists. What really pushed me was the cheaper tuition and P/F curriculum instead of a graded curriculum!

@BellaWriterChic Thanks for the inside scoop! I wasn't aware that the lotto was the same for KC and Joplin. From what I've seen and heard, Joplin = KC in terms of curriculum and institutional support. Since there hasn't been hard data showing match outcomes of Joplin's first class yet, I was a little precarious, but with essentially all other things being equal I think it's very likely for strong match outcomes for Joplin's campus as well!

 

[Medic_To_Doc2018]

I don’t really blame you for choosing KCU. I think ATSU-KCOM needs to undergo major changes to keep up with other schools. Good luck!

 

[twodoctors]

I don’t really blame you for choosing KCU. I think ATSU-KCOM needs to undergo major changes to keep up with other schools. Good luck!

Can you expand on this please? What kind of changes do you refer to? Another question I had was where do you move to for years 3 & 4? Thanks for your time!

 

[doc111111]

KCOM - Clinical Rotations and Facilities

Founded in 1892 by Andrew Taylor Still, DO, ATSU-KCOM is the founding college of osteopathic medical education.

www.atsu.edu

 

[twodoctors]

KCOM - Clinical Rotations and Facilities

Founded in 1892 by Andrew Taylor Still, DO, ATSU-KCOM is the founding college of osteopathic medical education.

www.atsu.edu

Thank you!