KCUMB vs KCOM

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CpGisland

CpGisland

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I recently got accepted to KCUMB and KCOM. These two school are my top choices, but I can not decide which one to go to. Could some of you give me your thoughts pro and con about each school/program/clinical rotation. Thanks
 
CpGisland said:
I recently got accepted to KCUMB and KCOM. These two school are my top choices, but I can not decide which one to go to. Could some of you give me your thoughts pro and con about each school/program/clinical rotation. Thanks
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I have the same fortunate problem. To decide between KCOM and KCUMB I broke them down into several categories (Location, Academics, Finances, Student Life, and Personal). In terms of location, KCUMB is in a relatively big city, while KCOM is rural. Second, academics. I really believe both of these schools will help anyone become a great doctor. KCOM uses ultrasound technology in really cool ways to help promote learning, however, their curriculum is still, for the most part, discipline based. KCUMB on the other hand, has the genesis curriculum. Genesis is systems based. Next is finances. I don't recall the exact figures, but from what I remember KCUMB's tuition is lower, but the cost of living may be higher in Kansas City. Dont quote me on this. I'm sure you still have the financial aid information. In terms of student life, both schools have tons of clubs and activities. KCOM has intramurals (which I love) but KCUMB has score 1 for health (which I also love). Last but not least, personal. For me, its important to be able to travel home (Im from Florida) and for my family to be able to visit me. KCUMB is much more accesible than KCOM, but thats just a personal thing. I hope this helps. If you have any ideas that I didn't mention please tell me because I am still in the process of making my own decision, even though I have begun to lean towards KCUMB. Good luck!
 
alexjeisenberg said:
I have the same fortunate problem. To decide between KCOM and KCUMB I broke them down into several categories (Location, Academics, Finances, Student Life, and Personal). In terms of location, KCUMB is in a relatively big city, while KCOM is rural. Second, academics. I really believe both of these schools will help anyone become a great doctor. KCOM uses ultrasound technology in really cool ways to help promote learning, however, their curriculum is still, for the most part, discipline based. KCUMB on the other hand, has the genesis curriculum. Genesis is systems based. Next is finances. I don't recall the exact figures, but from what I remember KCUMB's tuition is lower, but the cost of living may be higher in Kansas City. Dont quote me on this. I'm sure you still have the financial aid information. In terms of student life, both schools have tons of clubs and activities. KCOM has intramurals (which I love) but KCUMB has score 1 for health (which I also love). Last but not least, personal. For me, its important to be able to travel home (Im from Florida) and for my family to be able to visit me. KCUMB is much more accesible than KCOM, but thats just a personal thing. I hope this helps. If you have any ideas that I didn't mention please tell me because I am still in the process of making my own decision, even though I have begun to lean towards KCUMB. Good luck!
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I don't get these posts. Please help me decide where I should go?? That's a pretty big decision to leave up to your SDN friends. Make a list of what you feel each school has to offer and decide.
 
drgioiadds said:
I don't get these posts. Please help me decide where I should go?? That's a pretty big decision to leave up to your SDN friends. Make a list of what you feel each school has to offer and decide.
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I understand what you are saying but it is great to get input. Different things are important to other people and someone might come with a fact you never knew that could really affect your decision. I don't understand why premeds ask other premeds, but there isn't a choice.

That being said, I have only heard awesome things about KCOM and it is highly respected. The genesis curriculum seems awesome. Kirksville is a small town. I personally (again, without having seen kcom) would choose KCUMB because of the outside opportunities available. And by that I mean the schools for children, the suburb possibility, the easy drive back to des moines, etc.
 
I wrote something, but I don't know if I had the facts right. haha
 
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alexjeisenberg said:
I have the same fortunate problem. To decide between KCOM and KCUMB I broke them down into several categories (Location, Academics, Finances, Student Life, and Personal). In terms of location, KCUMB is in a relatively big city, while KCOM is rural. Second, academics. I really believe both of these schools will help anyone become a great doctor. KCOM uses ultrasound technology in really cool ways to help promote learning, however, their curriculum is still, for the most part, discipline based. KCUMB on the other hand, has the genesis curriculum. Genesis is systems based. Next is finances. I don't recall the exact figures, but from what I remember KCUMB's tuition is lower, but the cost of living may be higher in Kansas City. Dont quote me on this. I'm sure you still have the financial aid information. In terms of student life, both schools have tons of clubs and activities. KCOM has intramurals (which I love) but KCUMB has score 1 for health (which I also love). Last but not least, personal. For me, its important to be able to travel home (Im from Florida) and for my family to be able to visit me. KCUMB is much more accesible than KCOM, but thats just a personal thing. I hope this helps. If you have any ideas that I didn't mention please tell me because I am still in the process of making my own decision, even though I have begun to lean towards KCUMB. Good luck!
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Bumped because I'm faced with the same tough decision. Which schools did you guys end up going to -- and why?
 
To me, DMU and Creighton were tied in terms of attractiveness. So I had to look at all the minute details like the likability of Omaha v. Des Moines and class size, etc. All the peripherals were the same (e.g. recorded lectures, opportunities for specialties, friendliness of staff and students, etc. etc.)
 
I interviewed at both schools and got into KCOM and currently WL at KCUMB. I am not going to go to KCOM but if KCUMB would take me, I would go there in a heart beat. Both are excellent schools but I just can't imagine living in Kirksville as it was too rural for my liking. KCUMB had top COMLEX scores (pass rate) in the nation this year. I stayed with student hosts for my KCUMB interview and learned a great deal with how their genesis curriculum works and I was very impressed. Ok...I am going to stop typing now because I am starting to be sad all over again for not getting into KCUMB. 😳
 
zipnogg said:
To me, DMU and Creighton were tied in terms of attractiveness. So I had to look at all the minute details like the likability of Omaha v. Des Moines and class size, etc. All the peripherals were the same (e.g. recorded lectures, opportunities for specialties, friendliness of staff and students, etc. etc.)
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Wait, are we comparing DMU too? Not to hijack the thread, but I'd love to do a DMU vs. KCOM comparison too! I'd love anyone's input about the two schools.

alexjeisenberg said:
I have the same fortunate problem. To decide between KCOM and KCUMB I broke them down into several categories (Location, Academics, Finances, Student Life, and Personal). In terms of location, KCUMB is in a relatively big city, while KCOM is rural. Second, academics. I really believe both of these schools will help anyone become a great doctor. KCOM uses ultrasound technology in really cool ways to help promote learning, however, their curriculum is still, for the most part, discipline based. KCUMB on the other hand, has the genesis curriculum. Genesis is systems based. Next is finances. I don't recall the exact figures, but from what I remember KCUMB's tuition is lower, but the cost of living may be higher in Kansas City. Dont quote me on this. I'm sure you still have the financial aid information. In terms of student life, both schools have tons of clubs and activities. KCOM has intramurals (which I love) but KCUMB has score 1 for health (which I also love). Last but not least, personal. For me, its important to be able to travel home (Im from Florida) and for my family to be able to visit me. KCUMB is much more accesible than KCOM, but thats just a personal thing. I hope this helps. If you have any ideas that I didn't mention please tell me because I am still in the process of making my own decision, even though I have begun to lean towards KCUMB. Good luck!
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Actually, when comparing both of the schools, I came up with the same reasons for DMU in that it was in a better location and had more opportunities for community outreach than KCOM and it's more easily accessible since I'm from the west coast. Any other ideas?
 
angldrps said:
I interviewed at both schools and got into KCOM and currently WL at KCUMB. I am not going to go to KCOM but if KCUMB would take me, I would go there in a heart beat. Both are excellent schools but I just can't imagine living in Kirksville as it was too rural for my liking. KCUMB had top COMLEX scores (pass rate) in the nation this year. I stayed with student hosts for my KCUMB interview and learned a great deal with how their genesis curriculum works and I was very impressed. Ok...I am going to stop typing now because I am starting to be sad all over again for not getting into KCUMB. 😳
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Where are you going over KCOM if you don't get off the wait-list at KCUMB?
 
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ValentineLissar said:
Wait, are we comparing DMU too? Not to hijack the thread, but I'd love to do a DMU vs. KCOM comparison too! I'd love anyone's input about the two schools.
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I was just giving my 2 cents because the post above mine asked which school a member decided to attend and why... I was thinking it was a generalized question.
 
My GF has been accepted to KCOM, while I was accepted to KCUMB and she even said KCUMB is likely better. I don't quite remember where I heard this, but even an MSUCOM student told me that KCUMB historically has the highest board scores of the DO schools. MSUCOM recently changed their curriculum to match KCUMBs because it was so successful. I would choose KCUMB if I were you... my GF also says KCOM is in BFE... being in BFE might cause you to go insane. At least KC is a city-ish.
 
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Sorry, I also forgot to add that KCUMB stressed that they simply want to produce good physicians and do not push primary care. This shows with their board scores as the stats show that over half of their classes specialize. If your goal is to go into something specialized, maybe give it a thought.
 
I am torn between KCUMB and KCOM but to be honest I think the location argument is relatively weak. After all, it's just two years of your life, and you can go wherever you want (within reason) afterwards. I think I'm leaning slightly towards KCOM because I like the sound of their 3rd year curriculum more than KCUMB (more time for electives). In addition, I've never heard anything negative about KCOM from its students/alumni, and its reputation is solid.
 
bijoux22 said:
I too have to choose between KCOM and KCUMB. My boyfriend was actually rejected post interview at KCUMB and accepted at KCOM as well. However since he is leaning towards Mizzou I can pretty much pick where ever I want to go. Being from the St. Louis area I have begun to do a lot of digging. A lot of physicians who teach at WashU SOM advised me to pick KCOM due to it's reputation. One has seen KCOM grads at wusm and says that their bedside manners and training is second to none.. the only thing it lacks for me is the research opportunities, however I have a strong research background so maybe focusing on my clinical skills will be better in the long run. I also have talked to 2 residents who came in contact with KCUMB students and loved them. KCOM is 45K a year, and KCUMB is 42K. However to live in kirksville, I have been seeing 2 bedroom apts for 325. you can't beat that. I also like the idea that when I am stressed about an upcoming exam, I can walk home at 1am and not have to worry ontop of everything else about my safety. I think the idea that my bf got rejected from KCUMB turned me off a little- it was a complete shock. When we interviewed together at KCOM they really stressed how they really try to accommodate couples and families, which is really thoughtful
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Pretty much agree with all of the above -- you stole the thoughts from my head 😀.
 
angldrps said:
I interviewed at both schools and got into KCOM and currently WL at KCUMB. I am not going to go to KCOM but if KCUMB would take me, I would go there in a heart beat. Both are excellent schools but I just can't imagine living in Kirksville as it was too rural for my liking. KCUMB had top COMLEX scores (pass rate) in the nation this year. I stayed with student hosts for my KCUMB interview and learned a great deal with how their genesis curriculum works and I was very impressed. Ok...I am going to stop typing now because I am starting to be sad all over again for not getting into KCUMB. 😳
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Kcumb does not have the highest board scores in the nation btw. Lecom b's last class just got a 566 average on the comlex. Dont want to start a school war, just want to make sure your numbers are correct and not just heresay! Good luck
 
gators21 said:
Kcumb does not have the highest board scores in the nation btw. Lecom b's last class just got a 566 average on the comlex. Dont want to start a school war, just want to make sure your numbers are correct and not just heresay! Good luck
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Top of the Class:KCUMB-COM 2012 Ranked No. 1 in Board Exam Pass Rate


KCUMB's most recent graduating class ranked first among all colleges of osteopathic medicine for pass rates on the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medicine Licensing Examination 2 Cognitive Exam (COMLEX 2 CE), the second in a series of four medical board licensing exams administered by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners.



According to the NBOME, 94.98 percent successfully passed the exam. The Class of 2012 graduated on May 19 during the University's 126th Commencement Ceremony.



BONUS: The Class of 2013 achieved the highest pass rate (98.25 percent) on COMLEX 1, the first board exam that is administered following the completion of the second year of osteopathic medical school.
 
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Well, as a bonus, if I attend, KCUMB will have the largest average chest girth and fitness levels of all schools... how about that?

How is location not a factor? You spent 2 years in a rural area and lose sanity or you spend 2 years in a place where there is urban life and civilization? You're telling me you don't choose places to study and hang out based on location?
 
maestrohuang said:
Well, as a bonus, if I attend, KCUMB will have the largest average chest girth and fitness levels of all schools... how about that?

How is location not a factor? You spent 2 years in a rural area and lose sanity or you spend 2 years in a place where there is urban life and civilization? You're telling me you don't choose places to study and hang out based on location?
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you're going to lose your sanity anyways.

And I study in the library, so it doesn't matter if I'm in NYC or Kirksville. Makes no difference.
 
maestrohuang said:
Well, as a bonus, if I attend, KCUMB will have the largest average chest girth and fitness levels of all schools... how about that?

How is location not a factor? You spent 2 years in a rural area and lose sanity or you spend 2 years in a place where there is urban life and civilization? You're telling me you don't choose places to study and hang out based on location?
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I care more about the quality of my education, the friendships I will develop, and the opportunities that await me than the local bar scene. I'm sorry if that makes me a bad person.

Also this KCUMB board score stuff is nonsense. There is a big difference between pass rate and average score. KCUMB may very well have the highest pass rate in the country but that in no way corresponds to the highest average score. Moreover, individual medical schools very rarely give out information on average scores so it is very hard to make comparisons in this avenue.
 
toxicwombat said:
I care more about the quality of my education, the friendships I will develop, and the opportunities that await me than the local bar scene. I'm sorry if that makes me a bad person.

Also this KCUMB board score stuff is nonsense. There is a big difference between pass rate and average score. KCUMB may very well have the highest pass rate in the country but that in no way corresponds to the highest average score. Moreover, individual medical schools very rarely give out information on average scores so it is very hard to make comparisons in this avenue.
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This is SLIGHTLY flawed, because STATISTICALLY they should have a higher "average" board score because they have less people failing and pulling it down. Off the bat the have more passing (I think you just have to get over 400 or something? I don't really know) so there are less low scores, meaning more higher scores, which typically means higher average. Statistically speaking.
 
If passing is 500, for example, than if 100% pass with a score of 501, the can have the highest pass rate and lowest pass scre average. In actuality, the only significance in Comlex scores is that placed on the scores by a program director for match purposes.

Patients rarely ask..Hey Doc. before you cut me open, what was your Comlex score, and where did your school rank?

Bragging rights only mean something to those who brag.
 
outsider said:
If passing is 500, for example, than if 100% pass with a score of 501, the can have the highest pass rate and lowest pass scre average. In actuality, the only significance in Comlex scores is that placed on the scores by a program director for match purposes.

Patients rarely ask..Hey Doc. before you cut me open, what was your Comlex score, and where did your school rank?

Bragging rights only mean something to those who brag.
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I do agree with this.

But with the "501" example, that just doesn't happen. Sure it could, but things usually run as a standard bell curve. Because 98.something% passed, versus the national average of 92ish, you can safely assume that your standard curve is simply sitting several points higher than those schools with lower pass rates. Like I said, yes this isn't a guarantee, but the stats say it's good enough to bet on it.
 
abolt18 said:
This is SLIGHTLY flawed, because STATISTICALLY they should have a higher "average" board score because they have less people failing and pulling it down. Off the bat the have more passing (I think you just have to get over 400 or something? I don't really know) so there are less low scores, meaning more higher scores, which typically means higher average. Statistically speaking.
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Not necessarily. Idk what passing is for comlex but let's call it 200 for simplicity. Kcumb could have a bunch of 201s while some other school has a bunch of 199. The other school's average won't be weighed down much more than kcumb's

Sent from my SGH-T999 using SDN Mobile
 
Lol guys, look, I just read that somewhere and a few friends at MSU-COM also know that KCUMB students typically do well on the boards. The fact that over 50% of the class (I want to say that they said around 65% at the interview?) goes on to specialize has to say a lot about the school and curriculum.

I am just saying it is a good school and for me, a better location than KCOM because there is a city environment.
 
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maestrohuang said:
Lol guys, look, I just read that somewhere and a few friends at MSU-COM also know that KCUMB students typically do well on the boards. The fact that over 50% of the class (I want to say that they said around 65% at the interview?) goes on to specialize has to say a lot about the school and curriculum.

I am just saying it is a good school and for me, a better location than KCOM because there is a city environment.
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What exactly do you mean by "goes on to specialize"?
 
I'm pretty sure TCOM has the highest boards.
 
maestrohuang said:
Sorry, something other the primary care



awesome
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65% not into primary care is pretty impressive for a DO school.. At least based on the match lists I've seen.
 
MedPR said:
65% not into primary care is pretty impressive for a DO school.. At least based on the match lists I've seen.
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Yeah that is probably too high of a percentage, but I know for sure that it was above 50% of the class
 
abolt18 said:
This is SLIGHTLY flawed, because STATISTICALLY they should have a higher "average" board score because they have less people failing and pulling it down. Off the bat the have more passing (I think you just have to get over 400 or something? I don't really know) so there are less low scores, meaning more higher scores, which typically means higher average. Statistically speaking.
Click to expand...

Very true. But it's certainly not significant enough to start making comparisons between schools.
 
For what it's worth, I am from as big a city as big cities get.. Always lived in one before moving here, and I am thoroughly enjoying my Kirksville experience.. I understand that people's moods may vary, of course, but I just feel like the town doesn't get much love on these boards.. so here's my plug..
 
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