KCUMB vs Touro Harlem

[nm825]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I was just accepted at KCUMB today, but I have a $2000 deposit due at Touro Harlem on Friday, so I have some major decisions to make.

Frankly, in terms of the actual schools, I much prefer KCUMB. I like the curriculum, the campus, and the fact that they don't seem to be in your face about OMM or primary care. Plus, it's a bit cheaper overall and I wouldn't have to worry about trying to find an apartment in NYC ($700 rent versus probably close to triple that for a single bedroom in NYC). My two major concerns are the clinical rotations lottery (I really don't like the idea of getting stuck in a rural site like Arkansas or Oklahoma) and I'm worried that as a single 23-year old from Connecticut, it's going to be a bit of a culture shock moving to Kansas City; everyone around my age out there seems to be married/ready to get married, and I'm years away from even considering that.

With Touro, I'd be pretty much just going there for NYC. I really don't like their new curriculum with the problem-based learning and the fact that there's no actual lecture. I had a physics class in college that was problem-based, and I absolutely hated it. Touro does have rotation sites in the NYC-metro area, so that wouldn't be a worry like in KC. They also had a fairly impressive match list last year. I also have a few friends from college in NYC versus no one in KC. Also, I don't need a car for Touro but would for KC, and I'd probably need to get a new one before next year.

This decision is really eating at me. Any advice?

 

[AlteredScale]

I was just accepted at KCUMB today, but I have a $2000 deposit due at Touro Harlem on Friday, so I have some major decisions to make.

Frankly, in terms of the actual schools, I much prefer KCUMB. I like the curriculum, the campus, and the fact that they don't seem to be in your face about OMM or primary care. Plus, it's a bit cheaper overall and I wouldn't have to worry about trying to find an apartment in NYC ($700 rent versus probably close to triple that for a single bedroom in NYC). My two major concerns are the clinical rotations lottery (I really don't like the idea of getting stuck in a rural site like Arkansas or Oklahoma) and I'm worried that as a single 23-year old from Connecticut, it's going to be a bit of a culture shock moving to Kansas City; everyone around my age out there seems to be married/ready to get married, and I'm years away from even considering that.

With Touro, I'd be pretty much just going there for NYC. I really don't like their new curriculum with the problem-based learning and the fact that there's no actual lecture. I had a physics class in college that was problem-based, and I absolutely hated it. Touro does have rotation sites in the NYC-metro area, so that wouldn't be a worry like in KC. They also had a fairly impressive match list last year. I also have a few friends from college in NYC versus no one in KC. Also, I don't need a car for Touro but would for KC, and I'd probably need to get a new one before next year.

This decision is really eating at me. Any advice?

It seems there are more positives for you in regard to KC and that you will happy with the school. All the outside things (car, friends) don't seem to compete with what you like about KCUMB.

Plus you'll be classmates with meeeeee!

 

[100111]

From the tone of your post it really sounds like KCUMB is for you.

Personally, I'd pick touro over kcumb because location factor is huge for me and I like Touro's curriculum. Touro has minimum classroom time and its not really pbl, it's more so a classroom-review/clicker session.

 

[DoctorSynthesis]

I was just accepted at KCUMB today, but I have a $2000 deposit due at Touro Harlem on Friday, so I have some major decisions to make.

Frankly, in terms of the actual schools, I much prefer KCUMB. I like the curriculum, the campus, and the fact that they don't seem to be in your face about OMM or primary care. Plus, it's a bit cheaper overall and I wouldn't have to worry about trying to find an apartment in NYC ($700 rent versus probably close to triple that for a single bedroom in NYC). My two major concerns are the clinical rotations lottery (I really don't like the idea of getting stuck in a rural site like Arkansas or Oklahoma) and I'm worried that as a single 23-year old from Connecticut, it's going to be a bit of a culture shock moving to Kansas City; everyone around my age out there seems to be married/ready to get married, and I'm years away from even considering that.

With Touro, I'd be pretty much just going there for NYC. I really don't like their new curriculum with the problem-based learning and the fact that there's no actual lecture. I had a physics class in college that was problem-based, and I absolutely hated it. Touro does have rotation sites in the NYC-metro area, so that wouldn't be a worry like in KC. They also had a fairly impressive match list last year. I also have a few friends from college in NYC versus no one in KC. Also, I don't need a car for Touro but would for KC, and I'd probably need to get a new one before next year.

This decision is really eating at me. Any advice?

Go with touro. KCUMB is too far away. Don't underestimate that.

 

[AM508]

...
With Touro, I'd be pretty much just going there for NYC. I really don't like their new curriculum with the problem-based learning and the fact that there's no actual lecture. I had a physics class in college that was problem-based, and I absolutely hated it. Touro does have rotation sites in the NYC-metro area, so that wouldn't be a worry like in KC. They also had a fairly impressive match list last year. I also have a few friends from college in NYC versus no one in KC. Also, I don't need a car for Touro but would for KC, and I'd probably need to get a new one before next year.

This makes the decision simple for you....if you don't like the curriculum, you probably should not go to that school. KCUMB sounds like the winner.

 

[IslandStyle808]

Just saw KCUMB

 

[MaduNotSoff]

I wouldn't attend a school with curriculum that I hated. Personally not a fan of PBL either, but since you already have experience with it and know that it doesn't fit your learning style, why go to a PBL school? It is relatively far from NY, but cost of living is cheaper in KC as you stated. I would pick KCUMB.

 

[DrEnderW]

Touro NY doesn't have PBL, it's 100% recorded lectures. Don't base your decision on that haha.

 

[nm825]

Touro NY doesn't have PBL, it's 100% recorded lectures. Don't base your decision on that haha.

Ah, ok I guess I misunderstand that on interview day. What's the exam schedule like at Touro?

 

[mspeedwagon]

Sounds like you should be going to KCUMB. It's only 4 yrs. Kansas City is not NYC, but that might be good in that there are far fewer distractions. I spent the summer staying in Harlem (127th) right next to Touro and studying for the MCAT. I'm not the greatest fan of the neighborhood (though there are some killer lamb gyros on 125th for $4) and lots of distractions in NYC.

Ironically, these were the two schools that didn't make my final list. I opted for Touro-NV over Touro-NY (especially with the 200 dollar app fee for the NY campus). And, I decided to do ATSU over KCUMB. I do wish I had added KCUMB since I too really like the school (I guess, technically I still could, but still turning around my last few secondaries).

They are both good choices and you'll get a fine education. Go with your heart!

P.S. As mentioned above, Touro-NY doesn't do PBL.

 

[DrEnderW]

Ah, ok I guess I misunderstand that on interview day. What's the exam schedule like at Touro?

You're probably confusing it with the in class portion, which is interactive iClicker "quizzes" that you do based on the recorded lectures you watch on your own at a prior date. The questions are open note and open discussion to reinforce the material you've already seen.

In MS1, test are most Monday's, about 4 every 6 weeks. In MS2, they are approx every 3 weeks.