LECOM-B vs AZCOM matching

[premed21]

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I have been accepted at LECOM-B and at AZCOM. I want to specialize and am wondering which school is better suited for matching students into specialty residencies? Lecom is also much cheaper in tuition which is a plus point.

 

[SAvoodoo]

I have been accepted at LECOM-B and at AZCOM. I want to specialize and am wondering which school is better suited for matching students into specialty residencies? Lecom is also much cheaper in tuition which is a plus point.

Neither is better suited and yet both are. The reality is that someone with a 4.0 and 800's on step 1 and 2 will match anywhere regardless of med school. Someone with a 2.0 and 400's won't match anywhere competitive regardless of med school. The only advantage in terms of matching is audition rotation availability which is based on school location and where you want to do residency. I would argue it's not the best idea to pick a med school based on match data (obviously going carribean v harvard it another story etc) and pick where you think you will have the most success studying and feel the most comfortable. Just my opinion, i'm sure others will agree/disagree.

 

[cabinbuilder]

Neither is better suited and yet both are. The reality is that someone with a 4.0 and 800's on step 1 and 2 will match anywhere regardless of med school. Someone with a 2.0 and 400's won't match anywhere competitive regardless of med school. The only advantage in terms of matching is audition rotation availability which is based on school location and where you want to do residency. I would argue it's not the best idea to pick a med school based on match data (obviously going carribean v harvard it another story etc) and pick where you think you will have the most success studying and feel the most comfortable. Just my opinion, i'm sure others will agree/disagree.

I totally agree. Residency really has NOTHING to do with what medical school you go to. It comes down to the individual, your personality, your class rank, your own board scores, your audition rotation (or not) and your residency interview. You pick the medical school that suits you the best so you have the best environment to succeed and do well.

 

[PeepsLove]

I'd take the cheaper option unless there is a reason you want to be in PHX (i.e. potential residency programs located near there.) The only reason to exclude schools based on residency type is if that school has an affiliation residency at your base hospital. This gives you tons of time with the directors. From what I've seen, that helps. Take MSU for example, they have multiple programs at their base hospital which give an advantage (barring similar GPA and boards). Otherwise there is no differance. If you're better, you're better, period. Just make sure you have ample time to do auditions as a 4th year and be ready to travel.

 

[r90t]

If you have top rank/scores (top 10 in class/95th percentile on USMLE), you shouldn't have a problem matching in an allo program, regardless of your U.S. medical school.

Some programs will automatically exclude FMG from interviewing for residency, so MD in the Carribean vs DO in the states, I'd take the US position.

Work hard.

 

[digitlnoize]

I have been accepted at LECOM-B and at AZCOM. I want to specialize and am wondering which school is better suited for matching students into specialty residencies? Lecom is also much cheaper in tuition which is a plus point.

I will say that I'm an 4th year at LECOM-B and have loved it.

We do very, very well on boards. I have classmates (yes more than one) who scores 279 on the USMLE Step 1. Holy crap. Many, many people scores >230. 100% COMLEX Pass rate.

So, we do very well on boards. Which helps with getting good residencies.

Our match lists in the past have looked very good to me. I think we're very good at sending people where they want to go, and into fields they want to do, but don't put too much stock in match lists.

For example, I have a classmate who is a super-genius, near the top of our class, rocked the boards, and could literally go anywhere he wanted. He wants to do pediatrics, and he's from Texas, so guess where he's going. But it won't look very impressive to SDN pre-meds on our match list.

I would honestly worry more about these things:

1. Location - do you want to live in Arizona or Sarasota? VERY different places, aside from both leaning to the hot side. One has water.

2. Tuition - LECOM is one of the cheapest DO schools in the country. Not sure about AZCOM. As someone one about to graduate, I'd say...go with the cheapest.

3. Best program for you - again don't know much about AZCOM, but LECOM-B's PBL is relatively unique, VERY well done (not all "PBL" is created equal), and was great for me. Maybe you'd prefer lecture...or not.

4. Clinical rotations - Mine have been excellent. We also have a ton of flexibility in elective time, and between the Florida rotation locations, the Penn. rotation locations, and the other rotation locations, we have TONS of options for places to do rotations.

Hope that helps some. I don't know much about AZCOM. I have a friend who picked LECOM-B over AZCOM and has been very happy with their decision!

 

[nlax30]

I'll echo what was said above. Don't put much stock in match lists.... they vary heavily year to year depending on the overall interests of the class. And like he said, there could be several people in the class who have terrific stats and yet still pursue fields that may be considered less competitive because *gasp* that's what they actually enjoy and want to do.

Just personal experience, I did very well on boards, had great rotations and letters and ultimately passed on a great pre-match because of other factors that I made higher priority. Being a competitive student will give you the ability to have that sort of choice and I think the school does that well.

The biggest thing is probably the curriculum. Not sure what AZCOM is but LECOM-B is strictly PBL so make sure you really understand what that means. It's not for everyone and so if that's not your style then you'll be miserable.

 

[Flushot]

AZCOM is traditional lecture based, so yeah, it is different from LECOM-B. I would choose based on that, total cost of attendance, and location rather than match lists.

 

[TeamZissou]

AZCOM is traditional lecture based, so yeah, it is different from LECOM-B. I would choose based on that, total cost of attendance, and location rather than match lists.

This.

 

[Oxer45]

Generally speaking, you will do your residency in the same region as your med school, and you will practice in the same region as your residency.