KCUMB vs. WVSOM

[Respected Specialist]

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I have been back and forth over this for the past few weeks. I found this spreadsheet that I thought would help, but as you can see KCUMB and WVSOM are tied for me, and even before this the others were out for the most part unless I missed something major. I thought I would throw it out there to you all to see what you think, or even just some suggestions for other factors I should be putting into my decision that might push one over for me.

A little more about my situation: I am married, and will have a ~1 year old boy when I start, so having a family atmosphere is important, as well as students in similar situations so my wife can get involved with other families. I am from Utah and would like to eventually make it back here, so KCUMB having rotation sites in Utah is a plus, but not the most important factor for me as I feel looking long term is more important. I'm enticed by WVSOM's 3 year tuition forgiveness for an extra year of teaching, but this is obviously competitive and not a guarantee.

 

[67552931811]

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[futebolista]

Kansas City has great BBQ

 

[AlteredScale]

WVSOM has a huge emphasis on primary care and working in the rural regions of WV:

"Years 3 and 4
WVSOM's clinical education program is designed to prepare students for the practice of osteopathic primary care medicine. The program is planned to emphasize the skills and abilities needed in a primary care practice and to enable graduates to be comfortable practicing in a rural community, particularly in West Virginia. It permits elective time sufficient to allow students to augment their training in specialty areas, and to successfully compete for residencies."

KCUMB seems to be more "well rounded" however a good majority of students still self select for primary care. But WVSOM has very high rankings in primary care and family medicine.

I think unless you plan on doing rural medicine you should go to KCUMB. With rotations at a state you wish to go to along with an established program that tracks their grads into very good residencies in many states, the mission and vision of KCUMB is better aligned with your end goals.

 

[TheBoneDoctah]

View attachment 186081
I have been back and forth over this for the past few weeks. I found this spreadsheet that I thought would help, but as you can see KCUMB and WVSOM are tied for me, and even before this the others were out for the most part unless I missed something major. I thought I would throw it out there to you all to see what you think, or even just some suggestions for other factors I should be putting into my decision that might push one over for me.

A little more about my situation: I am married, and will have a ~1 year old boy when I start, so having a family atmosphere is important, as well as students in similar situations so my wife can get involved with other families. I am from Utah and would like to eventually make it back here, so KCUMB having rotation sites in Utah is a plus, but not the most important factor for me as I feel looking long term is more important. I'm enticed by WVSOM's 3 year tuition forgiveness for an extra year of teaching, but this is obviously competitive and not a guarantee.

I can't read anything that your picture says.

 

[Awesome Sauceome]

Also cost is a serious factor here. You are talking about paying 50-60K difference over 4 years for a school that is not as old and respected as KCUMB, its no question, go to KCUMB.

KCUMB is closer to Utah obviously... also if you wife has any hopes of finding work, its not going to happen in WVSOM because essentially there is nothing there.

If you want tuition forgiveness just do the 1 year fellowship thing at KCUMB and you get 2 years off of tuition. I imagine it is just about as competitive as WVSOM's tuition forgiveness... the only difference is that KCUMB's forgiveness program actually gives you more stuff to add onto your application to go into more competitive specialties. WVISOM's tuition forgiveness program basically locks you into primary care, which is all fine and dandy is you know you want to be in primary care.

 

[Respected Specialist]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the advice. I feel like I was stuck since my dad grew up a block away from WVSOM, and went there for treatment for juvenile arthritis, so I almost felt I was betraying them in some way. Plus I loved it there everyone was so nice, and they have great facilities, and the area is beautiful and felt very much like home. So thanks for pushing me past that mental block, and giving such great info for KCUMB. Futebolista have you ever been to KC and where would you recommend as the best BBQ?

 

[jqueb29]

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the advice. I feel like I was stuck since my dad grew up a block away from WVSOM, and went there for treatment for juvenile arthritis, so I almost felt I was betraying them in some way. Plus I loved it there everyone was so nice, and they have great facilities, and the area is beautiful and felt very much like home. So thanks for pushing me past that mental block, and giving such great info for KCUMB. Futebolista have you ever been to KC and where would you recommend as the best BBQ?

Eat Jack Stack's until you get the meat sweats

 

[cliquesh]

I'd go to kcumb.