KCUMB or DMU

[tgalper]

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I wanted to get some peoples opinions on whether to attend KCUMB or DMU for med school. I know KCUMB's curriculum really well and that is why I am favoring the school, but if some of you would help me learn more about DMU's curriculum that would be great.

Either way, if you had a choice between these two schools which would you attend based strictly on curriculum?

 

[MJB]

I love the KCUMB curriculum....

 

[whatdapho]

To be a little self-serving, I would have to say you should choose KCUMB over DMU

 

[Yes_I_DO]

Ive been accepted to KCUMB and LOVE it! But the more I hear about DMU, the more I regret not applying there. I have been agonizing over all the things they have to offer. I feel like I really missed the boat 🙁 🙁 I am trying not to do too much research about it specifically b/c it's too late to apply (for me, b/c I have to let KCUMB and others know by Dec 14th) and I dont want to make myself more miserable about it than I already am. But from what I hear, they have a solid curriculum, awesome facilities, basically that they are similar to Kirksville (which Im also applying to) but are actually located close to civilization! They also have a smaller class size and cheaper tuition than KCUMB. And last but not least, they GIVE you a friggin computer and PDA!!! Ugh...why didnt I apply to DMU??😕

 

[Orthodoc40]

Ive been accepted to KCUMB and LOVE it! But the more I hear about DMU, the more I regret not applying there. I have been agonizing over all the things they have to offer. I feel like I really missed the boat 🙁 🙁 I am trying not to do too much research about it specifically b/c it's too late to apply (for me, b/c I have to let KCUMB and others know by Dec 14th) and I dont want to make myself more miserable about it than I already am. But from what I hear, they have a solid curriculum, awesome facilities, basically that they are similar to Kirksville (which Im also applying to) but are actually located close to civilization! They also have a smaller class size and cheaper tuition than KCUMB. And last but not least, they GIVE you a friggin computer and PDA!!! Ugh...why didnt I apply to DMU??😕

They don't GIVE it to you - it's adding into your tuition. Several schools do that. Several OTHER schools budget into your tuition and you get to CHOOSE the one you want, not be stuck with one the school issues. Don't get too hung up on THAT!! Congrats on your acceptance!! Be happy!

 

[NjD00]

Yes, it is added into your tuition, but even with it added in, it is the 2nd cheapest of all the DO schools I got into. 😉


I understand how Orthodoc and others might like the freedom to buy their own computer, but for me, a school issued one is almost a plus. First off, you don't have to decide what brand/model, secondly, I'm sure I would spend way too much on all those specs that I would "think" I needed if I had to go out and buy my own, thirdly, you know perfectly well that every technological learning method (for PC's) that DMU uses will work well on your computer and that you will never have to worry about compatibility issues.

Finally, the issued PCs are pretty sweet, as they are the rotating type where you can flip the screen down like a notebook and write on the screen. The students I stayed with said that aspect is AWESOME, since you can actually write your notes on the powerpoint slides without having to print t hem off and whatnot.

 

[Orthodoc40]

Actually I'm not THAT big on choosing your own. It was simply pointed out to me by a current student at UNECOM when I was comparing DMU to UNE. I figured there's probably many people that would rather have their own choice, but maybe I'm wrong! I am just not a big fan of laptops in the first place, and they are only designed to last 3-4 years, (they may last longer, but they are not designed to) and so it just isn't that big a deal to me, either way.

 

[Yes_I_DO]

They don't GIVE it to you - it's adding into your tuition.

I know, but KCUMB isnt adding any computer into their 36K tuition (vs DMU's 31K) to my knowledge anyway.

 

[lysosome]

so....are both KCUMB and DMU curriculum and quality of education approximately the same then?

how much for housing in the area?

 

[Depakote]

I did the DMU v. KCUMB debate... even came up with an overly elaborate spreadsheet before I made up my mind.

Take a look:

(link dead)

in summary, I picked all the important traits, scored the schools and weighted the values of the traits on a sliding scale. This gave the schools an overall score.

There's even a graph.

Note: all impressions are subjective, but feel free to use my system

EDIT: the link for the spreadsheet no longer works, but there is an in-depth discussion in this thread

 

[Krazykritter]

Can someone explain to me the thing about KCUMB's curriculum that everyone appears to like so much? I have no idea what the curriculum is so I am not trying to be a jerk.

I have absolutely nothing against KCUMB, but the school is in such a bad area that I would not feel happy living there for two+ years. I love being able to walk home from school at whatever time of night I want b/c of Des Moines being such a safe city. Some people will say that DSM is not a big enough city & that they would be bored. The truth is that there is way more to do in Des Moines than you will ever have time to do as a med student.

Just my thoughts...but I would like someone to tell me about the curriculum that everyone is falling over themselves about. Thanks.

 

[whatdapho]

I personally would choose DMU. I liked the area where school is more than where KCUMB is. Technology, well I would say they are pretty much the same. KCUMB is very small school, everywhere you go you feel like there are already too many people. DMU has lots of space on their campus, large lounges to hang out and have lunch, family areas, play areas, did you know that their grass at the front yard is shaped as mitochondria😀 , lecture halls are awesome, surgery lab - don't get me started - wow! Des Moines is pretty small city but it is safe city with its little things to do, farmers market and downtown lofs which are cheap cheap to rent. I just did not feel comfortable at the KCUMB...

Ssssssssssshhhhhhhhh. Don't tell everyone about how DMU is. I'm trying to keep DMU to myself.😉

 

[NjD00]

I love mitochondria. I'm goin to dmu

 

[tgalper]

Hey Trabada, since you are one of the few who have been to both schools, can you tell me a bit about DMUs curriculum.
What I like about KCUMB is the systems based approach, early experience with patients, and they will have 8 of those hospital simulators for next year.
I agree about the area itself, I'm not a big fan of Kansas City, but my main deciding factor is a curriculum that suites me.

 

[Toohotinvegas33]

Ssssssssssshhhhhhhhh. Don't tell everyone about how DMU is. I'm trying to keep DMU to myself.😉

Exactly what I was thinking, Everyone shut up about DMU...until I get in😀 .

 

[gagolden]

Let me put my 2 cents in. I was accepted to both, and will be graduating from DMU in 5 1/2 months. I ended up choosing DMU over UHS -- now KCUMB for the following reasons.
1. OMT department at DMU rocks. but now, the head of the department has left, so the department could be in trouble. It all depends on who takes over. But the foundation and treatment style is set in stone
2. Location- Des Moines is further away from home for me, but KCUMB is in the worst part of the KC. If you dont mind training 30 yard away from a hotel that rents by the hour, go to KCUMB, there is no such thing as a truly bad neighborhood in Des Moines
3. $$$- DMU is cheaper, board pass rates are similar, and I'm pretty sure residency matches are similar

Im glad I went to DMU and am proud of what the university is now and is becoming. If I had to do it over again, I would still go to Des Moines. The only bad things about DMU- not enough slots for rotations in Des Moines, expensive as$ airport, brutal winter.

 

[Yes_I_DO]

I did the DMU v. KCUMB debate... even came up with an overly elaborate spreadsheet before I made up my mind.

Take a look:

DMUv.KCUMB

in summary, I picked all the important traits, scored the schools and weighted the values of the traits on a sliding scale. This gave the schools an overall score.

There's even a graph.

Note: all impressions are subjective, but feel free to use my system

What the *$#T@%????? Anyone smell Type A? ROFL. I guess that's one way to do it. 👍
but seriously, that's pretty darn impressive. I think I will use your system!! I might have to PM you tho when I get down to actually plugging things in (still waiting on 2 answers from schools). You should market this, lol

 

[Orthodoc40]

Yah man, WOW! I am not sure I even UNDERSTAND that thing!! LOL!!!
J/K. My 'spreadsheet' has 2 columns - "PROS" and "CONS" - !!

 

[Depakote]

Yah man, WOW! I am not sure I even UNDERSTAND that thing!! LOL!!!
J/K. My 'spreadsheet' has 2 columns - "PROS" and "CONS" - !!

Yeah... basically I felt torn b/c while I really liked DMU, KCUMB had some qualities that I liked too... so I just had to spell it out for myself that those qualities weren't important enough to sway the decision, this spreadsheet helped that.

Admitedly... a lot of it is arbitrary, and it is far from a perfect system, but I figured it would be better to post it than not.

 

[Orthodoc40]

Yeah... basically I felt torn b/c while I really liked DMU, KCUMB had some qualities that I liked too... so I just had to spell it out for myself that those qualities weren't important enough to sway the decision, this spreadsheet helped that.

Admitedly... a lot of it is arbitrary, and it is far from a perfect system, but I figured it would be better to post it than not.

I am going to 'borrow' this. Did you make one for CCOM and all the other 30 schools you got into this year, Dep?? Nice job.
Wow - I'm impressed!

 

[Depakote]

I am going to 'borrow' this. Did you make one for CCOM and all the other 30 schools you got into this year, Dep?? Nice job.
Wow - I'm impressed!

Actually, I'm only into DMU and KCUMB... still waiting on news from CCOM and other interviews are pending.

But I did add a third column for CCOM. Just to see how it stacked up. The results were interesting, but again, clarified what my gut was telling me.

 

[tgalper]

Hey Depakote I checked out your spreadsheet too, interesting. It shows what I have been thinking all along, that KCUMB has a better curriculum, but that the city sucks. I personally prefer going to a school with a great curriculum, location is not that big of a deal.

 

[SOUNDMAN]

Interviewed and was accepted to both. Obviously chose DMU.

I did like the curriculum at KCUMB, but the way I understand the Gensys or whatever curriculum is that is is just a systems based protocol. The main thing that you should understand (atleast they said this to us when I interviewed) is that they don't give you an actual biochem course, it's a required prerequisite. Let's just say I have a biochem major, and medical school biochem was fairly difficult, and I took an extra year of it in undergrad. I couldn't imagine NOT taking it in medical school. It's such a foundation builder imho for the coming classes.

DMU is more traditional the first year with subject based approach. However nearly all of the second year is essentially a system based approach. Many of the "subject courses" have now gone to a systems based approach for example the microbiology/immunology/virology course is taught on which bugs effect which system, rather than this group of bugs does what. As well as the Cell biology course being fairly system based so far.

It really depends on how you learn and both ways are more than acceptable. I like the subject base, because I feel I can get a good foundation and build off of it and it's worked very well for me.

The laptop issue (whether choose your own or not) was not a big deal, and like many have said the IT support here is fabulous. Your laptop goes down, go immediately to IT, they pull out your hard drive, slap it in the loaner, and away you go while yours gets fixed. I don't know how many pens I've gone through with these tablets, and they just order me a new one. Really the facilities here are second to none and further enhance the learning experience.

Good luck and congrats on the acceptances

 

[Terpskins99]

Interviewed and was accepted to both. Obviously chose DMU.

I did like the curriculum at KCUMB, but the way I understand the Gensys or whatever curriculum is that is is just a systems based protocol. The main thing that you should understand (atleast they said this to us when I interviewed) is that they don't give you an actual biochem course, it's a required prerequisite. Let's just say I have a biochem major, and medical school biochem was fairly difficult, and I took an extra year of it in undergrad. I couldn't imagine NOT taking it in medical school. It's such a foundation builder imho for the coming classes.

Hi there. Well, first off... congratulations on getting accepted to medical school and I sincerely hope you have a wonderful experience over at DMU. 😉

I'm not sure how you got this impression that KCUMB doesn't teach biochem (I think you may have misinterpreted what the school ambassadors mentioned... either that or you spoke with a First year in the middle of "Foundations of Medicine"-section which is very light on Bchm), but KCUMB absolutely DOES incorporate Biochemistry lectures into every single section (particularly during Gastrointestional at the end of 1st year and Neuroscience at the beginning of 2nd year). Dr. Seidler (a really fun, straight-to-the-point meat and potatoes lecturer... THANK GOODNESS) and Dr. Phillips are our primary biochemistry instructors, though we have guest lecturers all the time.

The only thing is, we don't emphasize a lot of the hard core "memorize the chemical formula/show which carbon has their methyl group transfered/follow the electrons from point A to point B"-aspect that other (frequently allopathic) programs may tend to focus on (eg Boston University SOM's Biochemistry is like this... they have outstanding biochem instruction, btw). Instead, we just focus more upon "name which rate-limiting enzyme is deficient in Tay-Sachs disease (Hexamidase A) and what sort of Gangliosidosis would this be classified as (GM2)".

KCUMB requires undergraduate biochemistry because they don't really have any introductory lectures per-se (same thing with Cell Biology and Genetics). Its assumed that an incoming first year will have already grasped the basics of biochem and therefore the school begins by discussing more of the pathophysiological side of the subject.

Anyhow, our students have historically done quite well on both COMLEX and USMLE, so the biochem instruction that we do get (bare bones as it may be), is sufficient.

 

[SOUNDMAN]

As somebody said before,DMU's curriculum is more traditional which is great for me because I do not want to experiment at this point of my life. Simulators: KCUMB has them so as DMU is getting them for next incoming year. DMU just seemed to me as a school with history, more professional faculty and better long term plan. Plus the guy at DMU's coffee shop treated me with free latte before I headed back to Colorado😀

Where's my free latte from him!!! I go there everyday and I don't get no latte...

 

[Depakote]

What the *$#T@%????? Anyone smell Type A? ROFL. I guess that's one way to do it. 👍
but seriously, that's pretty darn impressive. I think I will use your system!! I might have to PM you tho when I get down to actually plugging things in (still waiting on 2 answers from schools). You should market this, lol

Just so you know, I do draw my inspiration from here...

 

[UIC Killa]

Just so you know, I do draw my inspiration from here...

lol...where do you find this stuff...good link...I am gonna order 100 of those shirts...and once they sell out I will sell mine for double the price because I know how high that demand is gonna be...why even go to medical school???...