LECOM-E or UMDNJ?

[nervousNJpremed]

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I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons of going to either school and having a really hard time coming to a decision. What do you think and why? Feedback from current students at either school would also be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[EEL08]

UMDNJ

It has a small class if that's what you like. My husband interviewed there and said everyone was really nice and it was a great school. He also interviewed at LECOM-Erie and felt it had a weird atmosphere. My personal opinion is that UMDNJ is more well respected, take it or leave it. I can ask my husband more about it when he gets home.

 

[DocInProgress]

Go to UMDNJ.
When compared with Erie, UMDNJ:
- has a cheaper tuition especially because you're a NJ resident.
- has a longer reputation and thus more alumni's (= more connections and recognition).
- has its own teaching hospital.
- is very close to downtown Philly while Erie is in the middle of nowhere.
- has a better matchlist from my personal opinion.

 

[nervousNJpremed]

Actually Erie and UMDNJ have comparable tuition (Erie is one of the cheapest schools to go to, but state of the art.. and they only charge $1100 more to out of state students than in-state. Tuition is about $26,000).

Here's my problem.

I didn't feel welcome at UMDNJ at all. Maybe it was because it was spring break when I went there and my tour guides didn't seem to really give a crap about the school. Or maybe it was because the school didn't seem to give a crap about the students interviewing.. There were no guest speakers.. No welcome.. nada. The facilities look nice from the outside.. But the classrooms seemed really outdated.. The lecture hall wasn't even a real lecture hall. . . Just a room with lots of big plastic tables.


Erie IS in the middle of nowhere, but its close to Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and Cleveland (an hour or two to each), plus there's stuff to do around Erie (Skiing, boarding, tubing, fishing, whatever). I'm not really concerned with the fun factor though because as long as there are good people around, you can make your own fun. One of my best friends goes to Erie, and everyone else there seemed really nice. I don't mind the dress code or rules either.

So I guess it seems like I am leaning towards Erie. But is there really a BIG difference in the quality of education or match list? LECOM had some really good matches. Plus they had a 98% first-time pass rate for the boards last year and just invested about $38 mil in a new health and wellness center for the LECOM and Erie communities .. It's scheduled to be done in Sept and will have gym stuff, spa, doctors' offices, and more. Students will be able to do rotations there, as well. I think that alone says so much about the school investing in exemplifying the principles of the osteopathic philosophy.

Both schools offer research, although UMDNJ I know get more funding for it.

Anyone want to add anything/chime in?

 

[jiggityquakefro]

I guess I don't know as much about Lecom as I thought. What kind of dress code?

Also LECOM just won an award with the Chicago school for higher education and service (the Presidential something, something). I think they are really focused on producing PCP's. I think at UMDNJ you would have a better opportunity to specialize if you decide to do that.

I am looking at UMDNJ and PCOM mostly. PCOM is winning for me because it is much closer to Phila, isn't quite as tiny, and the facilities are more impressive. I was disappointed too by UMDNJ's "lecture hall."

 

[nervousNJpremed]

LECOM has a business casual dress code: slacks, button down shirt and tie for males, dress pants/skirt/dress and top for females, but I heard women get a way with a lot! 🙂 Btw this dress code is in effect for anatomy lab too (that I don't see the point of, scrubs seem more reasonable). They are really strict about it, i.e. they check if you're in code when you walk in the building.

OMM Lab: For women, sports bra and shorts, and a t-shirt for when you are not being palpated. For men, shorts with elastic waistband.

 

[nervousNJpremed]

Btw here are the match lists for both schools.

 

[countthestars]

Go with your gut. It's simple as that. When you interviewed, which school did you really feel like you would excel and do well at? I personally think your subjective impressions of the school are better than what others have to say about it. Any school can get you where you want to go. What matters is how YOU preform at that school. The school can only do so much. What matters more is what do at the school. So what I'm saying is both schools are great and will get you where you want to go. I would say just go with your gut feeling.

 

[PharmacyRx2009]

I understand you're in the med field, but I am a LECOM C/O 2009 Pharm student and I'd like to share my opinion. First off, Erie is certainly not in the middle of nowhere. We're in the middle of the tri-state area which includes Pittsburgh, Buffalo, and Cleveland. But honestly, with all the studying you'll be doing I don't think it matters where you are because to be on top of your game you're gonna have your nose buried in a book a majority of the time.

Let me give you a quick run down on Erie:
~ Very inexpensive cost of living
~ If you should find time to play there's a ton of activities to do, as you mentioned in your post; and let's not forget about Presque Isle beach!
~ For those who like to go out occasionally (or frequently) we have several clubs as well as well respected pubs in the downtown area. The Plymouth has 25 cent draft nights on Monday and dollar imports on Thursday for those who may need a drink every now and then to unwind between terms, but also on a tight budget. There's also some well established pubs for those not on a tight budget such as Scotty's Jazz Club. And in the summer there's several outdoor pubs/restaurants to relax and enjoy the beautiful sunshine.
~ Jr.s Last Laugh Comedy Club
~ People are very friendly in Erie
~ Erie's such a big circle, great way to make connections. Somebody always knows somebody which is great when it comes to networking. For instance, any opportunity I get to relax and go out for a bit I usually end up chit chatting with Mayor Joe Sinnott
~ LECOM's rate for students passing the boards 1st try is exceptionally above average
~ LECOM has a small fitness area right in the building in the chance you're short of time and need to blow off a little steam
~ The upcoming HUGE LECOM Wellness Center... enough said on that one. It's going to be outstanding!
~ Rotations are not required to be done in Erie, if you choose to do them back home they encourage it
~ Excellent security: badge to enter/exit the building and security always on top of things

And I wouldn't be real concerned with the dress code at LECOM. Yes, there is a dress code and sometimes they can be a little harsh (rarely) but they feel you perform and act how you present yourself, hence the dress code.

As for downfalls... in the winter Erie has snow. And a lot of it. Because Erie is so accustomed to this weather... very rarely are classes cancelled due to the weather. But then no worries of a snow make-up day during your nice summer days.

Hope some of this helped. I'm not sure about the med school, but the pharmacy school has about a 10% acceptance rate. My class had about 1200-1300 applications and our class consisted of 130 students.

Good luck!

 

[Live4Life]

...nevermind

 

[Lost N Found]

I guess I don't know as much about Lecom as I thought. What kind of dress code?

I am looking at UMDNJ and PCOM mostly. PCOM is winning for me because it is much closer to Phila, isn't quite as tiny, and the facilities are more impressive. I was disappointed too by UMDNJ's "lecture hall."

So does this mean that one day you will pick which hospital you work in based on how good the physician's lounge looks? I don't mean to be condescending, but I just think a lecture hall is a poor measure for comparison between schools. This is all a personal decision, but think with your head, not your heart and your eyes.

 

[thelittlemole]

with out a doubt i say DON'T DO LECOM, and guess what i go to lecom!!!
If i would do it all over again, i would not come here.
So many rules and regulations in all levels! can get really frustrating.
I strongly suggest to look at your other option,
best of luck!

 

[MaximusD]

UMDNJ. Seriously, it's a no-brainer in terms of opportunity.

 

[scpod]

Prejudices aside-- you could certainly do well at either place you choose. They both have wonderful matchlists which means that you could do very well. Pick the place where you feel most comfortable.

I could NEVER go to either place, simply because I HATE snow. Have you thought about Arizona or Florida? 😀

Did I mention that I love sunshine????

 

[MossPoh]

So does this mean that one day you will pick which hospital you work in based on how good the physician's lounge looks? I don't mean to be condescending, but I just think a lecture hall is a poor measure for comparison between schools. This is all a personal decision, but think with your head, not your heart and your eyes.

If you have to spend a lot of time there then the physician lounge is a perfectly valid reason. The fact is that with schools, there will always be good teachers and bad teachers at each one. Facilities are a perfectly good measure when placed in with everything else. If all else is held equal and one has better facilities than the other then I know I'd pick the one with better facilities. You think with your heart when it comes to choosing school. Logic can leave you with doubts. It is a lot easier to be successful and ignore negatives when you are in love with something rather than just doing it because of the perceived pros. I chose my undergrad institution using my head and not my heart. While I love it now that I'm removed, my freshman gpa, near suicide, and constant curiosity about the "what-ifs" to this day plague me. The ideal situation uses all 3 to make the decision. Logic has little place with love. 😉