KYCOM v WVSOM

[eturch]

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Posting on behalf of a friend!!

Kycom:

Pros:

• Rotation site in MI (My home state)
• KYCOM advantage program gives students an OPP table, white coat and scrub suit, diagnostic equipment (stethoscope, ophthalmoscope, etc.), an iPad Pro and all required textbooks. Membership dues on behalf of all students are also paid to the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA). Exam fees for the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners COMLEX-USA Level 1 and Level 2-CE board exams are paid by KYCOM for first attempts only. In addition, the KYCOM Advantage also includes a COMLEX–USA Level 1 examination preparation program.
• Closer to home, 6 1/2 hour drive
• A good amount of people have matched in MI programs.
• Slightly more populated (~8k)
• SDS scholarship, up to $30,000.

Cons:

• Mandatory attendance first semester.
• Business casual dress code for x2 days a week, they’re pretty chill about it not very strict like LECOM. x3 days out of the week wearing scrubs because of anatomy lab and OMM lab.
• Less established than WVSOM??

WVSOM:

Pros:

• Established school.
• No mandatory attendance.
• No dress code.
• Has rotation sites at WVU hospitals (the MD school)

Cons:

• More expensive, ~$50K tuition with no scholarships.
• No MI rotations has matched students in MI but less than KYCOM.
• Less populated city.
• Further from home, 7 hour drive

Very grateful to be in a situation to decide between the two schools. I have friends that went to KYCOM and mentioned that they had an amazing experience there, and said they’d do it again. I’m having a very hard time deciding between the two. My ultimate goal is too probably to do Family Medicine with a sports medicine or preventative medicine fellowship or Internal Medicine and further specialize in GI, Cards, and Heme/Onc. I do plan on keeping an open mind during clerkships and who knows, maybe I enjoy surgery or another specialty so I’d like to go somewhere that gives me the opportunity to pursue pretty much any specialty with the exception of the obvious competitive specialties like Derm or plastics. Thank you so much for your help!

 

[Formedschoolapps]

@Goro @chilly_md What do you think?

 

[chilly_md]

Is the scholarship renewable or just for the first year? How is the amount determined since you said it’s “up to” 30k? Your friend might not be getting much savings then.

The drives home are the same. That shouldn’t be a pro for KYCOM. 3 day weekend trips home are not really going to work for either school.

 

[Formedschoolapps]

Is the scholarship renewable or just for the first year? How is the amount determined since you said it’s “up to” 30k? Your friend might not be getting much savings then.

The drives home are the same. That shouldn’t be a pro for KYCOM. 3 day weekend trips home are not really going to work for either school.

 

[chilly_md]

So about 25k-30k for the first year. I don’t know how common it is for schools to maintain the federal funding for that specific program, and you likely need to reapply for it based on the description here. But overall, you’d save 100k which is nice. KYCOM is very primary care focused, WVSOM might have more options if they let you rotate at the same sites as the MD school uses.

 

[Formedschoolapps]

So about 25k-30k for the first year. I don’t know how common it is for schools to maintain the federal funding for that specific program, and you likely need to reapply for it based on the description here. But overall, you’d save 100k which is nice. KYCOM is very primary care focused, WVSOM might have more options if they let you rotate at the same sites as the MD school uses.

So if someone was set on Internal medicine or Family medicine with a fellowship after, it would be wise to choose the cheaper option like KYCOM? I'm personally set on primary care, but am interested in going to an academic program for residency.

 

[chilly_md]

So if someone was set on Internal medicine or Family medicine with a fellowship after, it would be wise to choose the cheaper option like KYCOM? I'm personally set on primary care, but am interested in going to an academic program for residency.

A good academic program for IM is usually what people recommend to better your chances for fellowship in the fields you mentioned. I do not know the details but it seems both schools do send graduates to academic programs (University of Kentucky, Louisville, and West Virginia).

 

[Formedschoolapps]

A good academic program for IM is usually what people recommend to better your chances for fellowship in the fields you mentioned. I do not know the details but it seems both schools do send graduates to academic programs (University of Kentucky, Louisville, and West Virginia).

So in this case, it's better to go to the cheaper option?

 

[chilly_md]

So in this case, it's better to go to the cheaper option?

Most likely.

 

[Formedschoolapps]

Most likely.

I see, so like all that reputation and tier jazz isn't something that should be considered in this case? From what I've seen from previous forums is that both programs are well-established.

 

[Formedschoolapps]

By the way, I really appreciate you getting back to me!

 

[chilly_md]

I see, so like all that reputation and tier jazz isn't something that should be considered in this case? From what I've seen from previous forums is that both programs are well-established.

I have not heard complaints about this school and do not think WVSOM adds anything special that would make up for a 100k difference in cost. WVSOM is state-funded and a good school, but I have not seen it associated with the other state-funded DO’s that are seen as the strongest programs like TCOM, Oklahoma State or Rowan.

 

[slimeBall]

Is the scholarship renewable or just for the first year? How is the amount determined since you said it’s “up to” 30k? Your friend might not be getting much savings then.

The drives home are the same. That shouldn’t be a pro for KYCOM. 3 day weekend trips home are not really going to work for either school.

hello!

i recently got accepted to both schools soma and kycom. KYCOM is a great program, and based on my interview experiences everyone wants to help you succeed.however what are the chances of landing a competitive residency if you dont want to go into primary care? I have another acceptance from atsu-soma, so I'm attempting to choose the best school that will allow me to enter a competitive residency program. I read that 70% of KYCOM students go into primary care; however, what are the chances of landing a competitive residency( neuroology, ENT, ortho)? also As far as connections go, how many can i make with Kycom being in a rural location vs Soma being spread out to 16 CHC locations? Does attending a rural school decrease the number of connections i make to obtain competitive residencies (going off of the "it's not about what you know but who you know" theory)? correct me if I'm wrong?! i appreciate any info!

 

[chilly_md]

I read that 70% of KYCOM students go into primary care; however, what are the chances of landing a competitive residency( neuroology, ENT, ortho)?

Neurology is certainly possible. Matching ENT or ortho is going to be difficult as a DO and is not something you should count on. I don’t think SOMA will help your chances much and their CHC locations vary widely. The more urban ones are obviously very popular and there are limited slots.

 

[slimeBall]

Neurology is certainly possible. Matching ENT or ortho is going to be difficult as a DO and is not something you should count on. I don’t think SOMA will help your chances much and their CHC locations vary widely. The more urban ones are obviously very popular and there are limited slots.

Thanks