KCUMB v DMU

[ChocolateWhale]

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Hey guys, I'm a long time reader, first time poster. My DO acceptances thus far have been to DMU and KCUMB (I also applied to CCOM and will be interviewing on 1/12). I'm completely dead-locked over these two schools at the moment. I've weighed all the pros and cons of each school, and have read through a ton of threads on here (this site rocks). At this point, I'm pretty set on DMU, but one thing keeps holding me back: the match lists.

Looking at both schools, it seems that KCUMB matches into more competitive residencies at schools throughout the country, many of which are top tier. DMU matches at great schools as well, but it seems much more primary care-driven. At this point, I have no clue what I want to specialize in, and am considering everything from primary care to surgery. Can anyone give me some insight into this match list difference? Does DMU push primary care on its students, or is there a lack of availability when it comes to certain residencies?

I'm extremely impressed with both schools, so I guess this is one of those "good problem to have" situations.

 

[beckhunter116]

There is a lot of talk on here about why you shouldn't focus on a schools matchlist. You really don't know much info when you look at it...like did everyone at DMU get there #1, where as at KCUMB got there #3? Or the fact that some people are actually interested in primary care. Or that plenty of people do IM, but plan on doing a fellowship.

I don't want to sound like I have a terrible attitude, but a lot of the time people all come here to say how they all want the most competitive specialties, it seems to down play how important and crucial primary care specialties are just because it may be easier to match to one of them. I know you didn't say that so I'm sorry to harp on it here in your thread! 😉

Congrats on 2 acceptances...you really are in a great position even if you have a difficult choice to make!

 

[Isoprop]

Which programs you will be competitive for will depend on your performance in med school. Your performance in med school will depend on how happy you are. Both are good schools. Go to whichever will make you happy.

 

[Hybrid1]

I'm a 4th year DMU student, and I never felt that the school pushed anything on us regarding choosing a specialty. Looking at our 2009 match list, a good number of students matched into anesthesia and ortho. Some matched into derm, rads, path, PM&R, neuro and ENT. A lot matched into General surgery and Ob/Gyn. Yes, many students matched into family, IM, peds and ER, but that likely represents the interests of the students as opposed to school influence.

Both DMU and KCUMB are good schools, so congratulations on your acceptances!

 

[IDBasco]

I'm a 4th year DMU student, and I never felt that the school pushed anything on us regarding choosing a specialty. Looking at our 2009 match list, a good number of students matched into anesthesia and ortho. Some matched into derm, rads, path, PM&R, neuro and ENT. A lot matched into General surgery and Ob/Gyn. Yes, many students matched into family, IM, peds and ER, but that likely represents the interests of the students as opposed to school influence.

Both DMU and KCUMB are good schools, so congratulations on your acceptances!

You must be going into one of the primary care fields.

I am a 2nd year at DMU and feel that while they don't necessarily force you into primary care, people who want to specialize have trouble getting much in the way of help or advice in pursuing one of those fields. In short, you're on your own. If, on the other hand, you want to do rural primary care, they will love you and go out of their way to get you down that path.

Specializing is certainly possible from DMU, but I have felt almost like I put off certain faculty and students (not the school's fault there) when asked what I want to do and I don't reply with primary care. Having said that, I like the school overall so I don't think you can go wrong with either one.

 

[Hybrid1]

You must be going into one of the primary care fields.

QUOTE]

I'm going into Ob/Gyn. I think the preceptors you meet on rotation and other students are very good resources once you decide on a field -- primary care or not.

 

[WDeagle]

They are both great schools. Along with PCOM i think these are the top DO schools. They are both very similar too. The big difference will be the curriculum the first two years and the location. I would think that kansas city is a more preferable location than des moines. KCUMB's basic science curriculum is pretty clinically heavy which makes it alot more interesting and prepares you better for rotations. The downside is that there are some holes to fill when putting everything together for boards. I dont know much about DMU but they have a traditional basic sciences curriculum. I would think that would be less interesting but there is probably better continuity between subjects.

 

[BassCaster]

They are both great schools. Along with PCOM i think these are the top DO schools. They are both very similar too. The big difference will be the curriculum the first two years and the location. I would think that kansas city is a more preferable location than des moines. KCUMB's basic science curriculum is pretty clinically heavy which makes it alot more interesting and prepares you better for rotations. The downside is that there are some holes to fill when putting everything together for boards. I dont know much about DMU but they have a traditional basic sciences curriculum. I would think that would be less interesting but there is probably better continuity between subjects.

Thought it was systems based... unless that's not what you meant w/ traditional basic sciences curriculum?

 

[Hybrid1]

The first year at DMU is mostly basic science with courses such as biochem, anatomy, micro, physio, immuno, etc. Physical diagnosis begins in the second semester. The second year is mostly systems like cardio, GI, derm, etc, but you also have pharmacology and an evidence-based medicine course.

 

[ChocolateWhale]

There is a lot of talk on here about why you shouldn't focus on a schools matchlist. You really don't know much info when you look at it...like did everyone at DMU get there #1, where as at KCUMB got there #3? Or the fact that some people are actually interested in primary care. Or that plenty of people do IM, but plan on doing a fellowship.

This is actually a pretty good point. I never thought about looking at the percentage of people who receive their #1 choice, #2 choice, etc. Taking this into account, it would seem that both schools match pretty evenly. I realize that I will be ultimately responsible for my own success, but just wanted to make sure each school would provide me with equal opportunity.

I'm probably going to call each school and get their take on it. There is always the chance of getting a "recruiter's" answer, but both schools seem focused on making sure they're a good match for every prospective student.

As for the curriculum, I really have no issue with either school, even though the respective curricula are significantly different.

Thanks for the advice so far, everyone!

 

[Hybrid1]

These numbers are from the Clinical Affairs presentation to my class before we began 4th year.

DMU Class of 2009 Match Results:
-99% got 1st choice specialty
-76% got 1st choice location
-89% got 1st or 2nd choice
-92% got 1st, 2nd or 3rd
-95% got 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th
-14 of 15 military students got specialty and location choice
-10 students signed ACGME contracts prior to the match

 

[ChocolateWhale]

These numbers are from the Clinical Affairs presentation to my class before we began 4th year.

DMU Class of 2009 Match Results:
-99% got 1st choice specialty
-76% got 1st choice location
-89% got 1st or 2nd choice
-92% got 1st, 2nd or 3rd
-95% got 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th
-14 of 15 military students got specialty and location choice
-10 students signed ACGME contracts prior to the match

I'm pretty surprised by this one. From reading the forums and speaking with military med students, one of the biggest complaints seemed to be a lack of choice when it came to location. Perhaps this encompasses choices 1-4?

 

[MSUSpartan642]

These numbers are from the Clinical Affairs presentation to my class before we began 4th year.

DMU Class of 2009 Match Results:
-99% got 1st choice specialty
-76% got 1st choice location
-89% got 1st or 2nd choice
-92% got 1st, 2nd or 3rd
-95% got 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th
-14 of 15 military students got specialty and location choice
-10 students signed ACGME contracts prior to the match

I mean I know DMU is good, but 99%....Something seems fishy about this data.

 

[Hybrid1]

I mean I know DMU is good, but 99%....Something seems fishy about this data.

Take it up with the Clinical Affairs Department 🙂. The numbers were from a presentation given to our class. They aren't up on the public website, so I do not necessarily see an incentive for the school to try and mislead their incoming 4th year class. They already have our money.

 

[MSUSpartan642]

By all means I don't think that your putting up false data on purpose. It just seems a little odd that basically everyone at DMU that year got their specialty of choice and over 3/4 got it where they wanted. Maybe it is true and it was one of the most competitive classes of all time, but if this is the case they need to rep that a lot more to the incoming students. Best of luck to you.

 

[beckhunter116]

Well as the OP said DMU matchlist was more primary care driven so it is easier to match people into their specialty vs if everyone wanted optho, derm, neurosurgery, and ortho.

 

[Terpskins99]

Looking at both schools, it seems that KCUMB matches into more competitive residencies at schools throughout the country, many of which are top tier. DMU matches at great schools as well, but it seems much more primary care-driven. At this point, I have no clue what I want to specialize in, and am considering everything from primary care to surgery. Can anyone give me some insight into this match list difference? Does DMU push primary care on its students, or is there a lack of availability when it comes to certain residencies?

I'm extremely impressed with both schools, so I guess this is one of those "good problem to have" situations.

First, congratulations on your acceptances.

I just graduated from KCUMB and am currently a medicine intern at a dually accredited acgme/aoa residency. I used to be in the camp that recommended looking into match-lists, but I've since decided against it. Honestly, I don't think it should enter into the equation when comparing these two particular programs. They are both solid. One tidbit is that KCUMB is in a bit of a transition with the termination of Karen Pletz as president/CEO. Ultimately, I don't foresee it affecting you as a potential student. It shouldn't have any effect on the curriculum (basic sciences are excellent) nor clerkship rotations (which is mixed in terms of strength... but probably on par with most other DO-schools).

Go where you feel more comfortable with. If that is DMU, then absolutely choose them.

DMU Class of 2009 Match Results:
-99% got 1st choice specialty
-76% got 1st choice location
-89% got 1st or 2nd choice
-92% got 1st, 2nd or 3rd
-95% got 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th
-14 of 15 military students got specialty and location choice
-10 students signed ACGME contracts prior to the match

I mean I know DMU is good, but 99%....Something seems fishy about this data.

Well, 99% with your 1st choice specialty isn't surprising. Most people only rank one specialty to begin with (a frequent exception are those that apply to competitive surgical specialties and also apply to general surgery residencies as backups). More important is the percentage that matched into the top rank/choice.

 

[CycloneDO]

OP: DMU is the better school...just kidding, I don't know, I'm still hoping for an acceptance there. On second thought, go KCUMB, maybe it will free up that seat that they just might give me, lol

But seriously, I also think you should pick a school, city, environment you'll be happy at so you can do well in school and be a competitive applicant for residencies. Your GPA and board scores are what I have heard matter (and your clinical recommendations from 3rd and 4th year) are what will get you the match you want.

Just my thoughts.