LECOM-E or UNECOM

[worlddoctor23]

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Hey Everyone,

I am trying to make a decision between these two schools. I am trying to weigh the pros and cons for both so as to make an informed decision. Please anyone with any information about each, please post what you can. Thanks.

 

[illegallysmooth]

I have no objective info, just reputation to go from, and without a doubt the advantage goes to UNECOM. I don't mean to say this is the end-all-be-all of it, just my impression from the DOs and MDs I work with.

 

[worlddoctor23]

I have no objective info, just reputation to go from, and without a doubt the advantage goes to UNECOM. I don't mean to say this is the end-all-be-all of it, just my impression from the DOs and MDs I work with.

What do you do and what school will you be attending?

 

[illegallysmooth]

What do you do and what school will you be attending?

I work in an ER as a unit clerk and in a peds clinic as an MA. Of the docs I work with, I've talked to at least 15, in-depth, about my applications (including 3 who went to LECOM). I will either be attending NYMC or LECOM-B (which I chose over CCOM and NYCOM).

 

[worlddoctor23]

I work in an ER as a unit clerk and in a peds clinic as an MA. Of the docs I work with, I've talked to at least 15, in-depth, about my applications (including 3 who went to LECOM). I will either be attending NYMC or LECOM-B (which I chose over CCOM and NYCOM).

The info you heard about unecom, was it from physicians who attended the school or were they from other schools?

 

[illegallysmooth]

The info you heard about unecom, was it from physicians who attended the school or were they from other schools?

One did attend UNECOM and seemed to place reputation as a very important factor. She seemed to think I should have chosen CCOM or NYCOM despite the drastic difference in location and cost of attendence. The rest of the DOs I work with are a mixed bag - mostly LECOM E/B, CCOM and NYCOM.

Reputation is just one thing to consider, though, especially for DO schools (which is why I chose LECOM-B over two others with better reps). There is not an overwhelming bias toward some DO schools over others in the allopathic community, at least not to my perception. Most MDs that I've met don't really distinguish the merits of one DO school over another.

 

[worlddoctor23]

One did attend UNECOM and seemed to place reputation as a very important factor. She seemed to think I should have chosen CCOM or NYCOM despite the drastic difference in location and cost of attendence. The rest of the DOs I work with are a mixed bag - mostly LECOM E/B, CCOM and NYCOM.

Reputation is just one thing to consider, though, especially for DO schools (which is why I chose LECOM-B over two others with better reps). There is not an overwhelming bias toward some DO schools over others in the allopathic community, at least not to my perception. Most MDs that I've met don't really distinguish the merits of one DO school over another.

Thanks illegallysmooth. I appreciate the input.

 

[ShyRem]

Admittedly, I go to UNE. However, if you read my posts, I have been very honest with the pros and cons at UNE.

Now, that being said, I have done rotations at sites with LECOM-E students. I found them woefully unprepared and not very motivated (granted I'm comparing them to myself - and apparently though I'm most definitely NOT a gunner, I am rather motivated). The residents and attendings I worked with also made comments on a very regular basis about how they were impressed with how prepared I was and that UNE must be doing a really wonderful job, and how they wished the students they had from LECOM were as motivated and prepared.

Now, before you all go postal on me, my sample size was VERY small. As was the sample size for the attendings who made comments. While almost all of the LECOM-E students I met were far more interested in sleeping, getting out of working, partying, and drinking, there were quite a fair number of those in my med school class too. I'm just not one of them.

Frankly, you're going to get a good education no matter where you go if you're motivated enough. And LECOM-E has one HUGE HUGE BENEFIT:

IT'S CHEAPER. LOADS CHEAPER.

If I had the choice between the two, I'd go for cheaper in a heartbeat.

I did get a good education at UNE. And a LOT of experience and responsibility in third year rotations (which definitely showed in fourth year). But ending up with over $250,000 in debt just from med school is difficult to swallow if you have a choice for something cheaper.

 

[pianoman511]

Well, as a LECOM-Erie student, I can only comment on LECOM.

Positives:

As ShyRem stated, LECOM is one of the cheapest schools which is a big selling point for some people (although honestly it should not be your primary concern - no matter where you go unless you're independently wealthy be prepared for 6 figure debt).

Our board pass rate is in the high 90's (percent wise), although LECOM-B had a 100% pass rate last year (i believe). In addition, the average board score is just above 500 (a little above the national average).

There are four learning pathways to choose from; LDP (lecture based) - traditional classes with mandatory attendance , ISP (independent study) - you get the books & a list of learning objectives and do it yourself (or with friends), PBL (problem based) - learning based on patient cases but your grade is based on three tests per semester (many more for ISP & LDP), and PCSP (primary care scholars) - 3 years of year round med school with a contractual obligation to practice primary care for a few years after school. Bottom line - lots of choices.

3rd and 4th year rotation sites throughout NY (long island, buffalo, niagara falls), PA (Pittsburgh, Erie, Philly, Central PA), OH (UH consortium, a few others), MI, WV, IN, & CA (San Diego).

Negatives:

In Erie, not a bad place but either snowing or raining for most of the year (best part of that is watching students from the south or california who have never really seen snow....gotta love lake effect)

Mandatory attendance (LDP), dress code (most people don't mind but for some reason it's a deal breaker for others - bottom line you wear shirt & tie for many rotations so why not get used to it), no food/drink in lecture (also a deal breaker for many).

Mandatory rotation sites - most at the LECOM hospital, Millcreek Community (low patient census/acuity, mainly used for psych patients, smallest of the three Erie hospitals) & LECOM does not pay hospitals to have students rotate there which has resulted in the loss of many sites.

PM me if you want any further details !

 

[ShyRem]

Interesting. It seems UNE is much more laid back in terms of "rules" - UNE has mandatory attendance for only a few classes, food and drink are absolutely permitted in lecture hall, and clothing is a must - as in you must be clothed.

 

[J-Rad]

Interesting. It seems UNE is much more laid back in terms of "rules" - UNE has mandatory attendance for only a few classes, food and drink are absolutely permitted in lecture hall, and clothing is a must - as in you must be clothed.

Sad. It was clothing-optional back in my day...

 

[csmittyB]

...best part of that is watching students from the south or california who have never really seen snow....gotta love lake effect...

UGH...this is going to be me. I'm not looking forward to waking up one morning and seeing a ton of snow.

 

[jkmph]

UGH...this is going to be me. I'm not looking forward to waking up one morning and seeing a ton of snow.

Presumably you'll have a car. The best part is when >12 inches of snow falls and you have to clean your car off and dig it out of the driveway.

 

[worlddoctor23]

... and clothing is a must - as in you must be clothed.

I certainly hope so.

 

[csmittyB]

Presumably you'll have a car. The best part is when >12 inches of snow falls and you have to clean your car off and dig it out of the driveway.

Gee...thanks

Mental note, buy a snow shovel that can fit in the trunk...

 

[illegallysmooth]

Gee...thanks

Mental note, buy a snow shovel that can fit in the trunk...

Also, maybe get an automatic car starter? Those are helpful in the winter. You can leave your heat and defrost settings on high when you park your car, and then in the morning just hit the button to start and most of the work will be done for you in 15 min. Much easier than scraping off the ice.

 

[kelaskov]

Hey Everyone,

I am trying to make a decision between these two schools. I am trying to weigh the pros and cons for both so as to make an informed decision. Please anyone with any information about each, please post what you can. Thanks.

My husband and I are UNECOM grads and are going to one of the best and most competitive universities in the country for residency. He's doing radiology and I'm doing family medicine. We both did well on boards and were mostly content with our clinical training (we spend most of our 3rd year training with other medical students from Rochester and Columbia U). We're happy with our training that we received through UNECOM and it allowed us to land great residency spots.

A big con is the cost.

I'd pick costal Maine over dreary Erie any day though..Portland rocks too! During our first 2 years we rented the cutest little beach cottage right on the ocean a mile down the road from the school. I still miss it!

 

[ShyRem]

Last year while I was doing third year rotations, lobster was $2.50/lb - at the store. You could get it under $2/lb at the docks. I ate a lot of lobster during third year. Stop at the store, have them steam it for free, go home and eat. YUM.

 

[worlddoctor23]

Last year while I was doing third year rotations, lobster was $2.50/lb - at the store. You could get it under $2/lb at the docks. I ate a lot of lobster during third year. Stop at the store, have them steam it for free, go home and eat. YUM.

Lucky me, of all the foods I eat, seafood is not my favorite. It'll probably be hell for me.

 

[ShyRem]

You can get some really good grass fed beef too. But go to the farmer and get a split quarter - it'll be MUCH cheaper than at the store. We buy a whole cow for something like $3.25/lb cut wrapped frozen. Usually a split quarter will run you about $4/lb or so from the farmer.

And if you like pork, again find a farmer. You can get pork for less than $2/lb cut wrapped frozen, smoking will run you about $0.20/lb or so (and it's totally worth it for a good smoke butcher).

Chickens are NOT cheaper from the farmer, but they are usually free range.

You can save a bunch of money if you buy a freezer, and eat much better than if you buy from the store.

 

[worlddoctor23]

You can get some really good grass fed beef too. But go to the farmer and get a split quarter - it'll be MUCH cheaper than at the store. We buy a whole cow for something like $3.25/lb cut wrapped frozen. Usually a split quarter will run you about $4/lb or so from the farmer.

And if you like pork, again find a farmer. You can get pork for less than $2/lb cut wrapped frozen, smoking will run you about $0.20/lb or so (and it's totally worth it for a good smoke butcher).

Chickens are NOT cheaper from the farmer, but they are usually free range.

You can save a bunch of money if you buy a freezer, and eat much better than if you buy from the store.

Finally, things are beginning to look up.

Shyrem, you've done a great job explaining things. I learned alot from you. Can anyone else add to the topic of LECOM or UNECOM.

 

[scotchtapetest]

Hey Everyone,

I am trying to make a decision between these two schools. I am trying to weigh the pros and cons for both so as to make an informed decision. Please anyone with any information about each, please post what you can. Thanks.

Since I can talk with neutrality regarding this issue I would recommend UNE-COM!
Feel free to PM me if you have questions!

 

[bassstimme1]

I don't know much about UNECOM, I'm a first year at LECOM, but from what I can tell they would both be good schools. The question of which is better is very subjective, but there a few things that could make one a better fit for you. For instance, do you have any interest in the problem based learning or independent study pathways at LECOM? Or are you gung-ho about PC and would want to do the primary care pathway where you can complete school in 3 years? Also LECOM is a very military-friendly school if you're interested in HPSP and the cheapest DO school if you're not. LECOM is very flexible about 3rd and 4th year rotations with lots of electives and you can do your core rotations at a wide variety of places outside of Erie (they even allow you to do all of your core rotations at military teaching hospitals.) Those are some of the good things about LECOM, but of course there's the dress code, no eating or drinking outside the cafeteria, the attendance policy and very neurotic security at times...
So basically it's all about what fits you best. Hope this helps.

 

[worlddoctor23]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the input. Anyone else with any advice please feel free to post.

 

[worlddoctor23]

Anyone?

 

[SoulinNeed]

There are rotation sites for LECOM in Indiana? That may be a huge selling point for me, since that's close to home.

 

[drctother]

New England has the Patriots. U decide if thats a good or bad thing😛

Im not a med student, but from what I have over and over it seems to come down to:

LECOM - Cheaper, crappier location than UNECOM, Many paths for school (good or bad, ur choice), Good Rotations, Crappy weather

UNE-COM - Expensive, lots of snow (i personally like), Good Rotations

Everyone generally seems to agree they both provide great educations.

My summary of what most people on here have already said i suppose lol

 

[worlddoctor23]

New England has the Patriots. U decide if thats a good or bad thing😛

Im not a med student, but from what I have over and over it seems to come down to:

LECOM - Cheaper, crappier location than UNECOM, Many paths for school (good or bad, ur choice), Good Rotations, Crappy weather

UNE-COM - Expensive, lots of snow (i personally like), Good Rotations

Everyone generally seems to agree they both provide great educations.

My summary of what most people on here have already said i suppose lol

Thanks. I appreciate the summary. I'm hoping to hear more from students in both schools. Shyrem has done a great job chiming in for UNECOM. Any other UNECOM med students are welcome to give their opinions. Aside from the pathways and affordability of LECOM, is there anything elso about the school that anyone can offer?

 

[engineeredout]

Thanks. I appreciate the summary. I'm hoping to hear more from students in both schools. Shyrem has done a great job chiming in for UNECOM. Any other UNECOM med students are welcome to give their opinions. Aside from the pathways and affordability of LECOM, is there anything elso about the school that anyone can offer?

Really cheap drinks at the bars.

Fitness center nicer than any private gym I've ever belonged to.

 

[jkmph]

New England has the Patriots. U decide if thats a good or bad thing😛

And the Celtics, Red Sox and Bruins. From where I'm standing, that's almost reason enough to choose UNE.

 

[MossPoh]

And the Celtics, Red Sox and Bruins. From where I'm standing, that's almost reason enough to choose UNE.

Says the person with the redsox avatar.

God only knows how many times I've been walking around in my Colts tshirt to have some douchebag start screaming at me about how I'm a horrible person and Tom Brady is better. I don't really give a damn.

 

[jkmph]

Says the person with the redsox avatar.

God only knows how many times I've been walking around in my Colts tshirt to have some douchebag start screaming at me about how I'm a horrible person and Tom Brady is better. I don't really give a damn.

What? That's bizarre. I have clothing from all 4 teams and I can't say I've ever had someone in Boston, or anywhere with a high population of Boston sports fans for that matter, chastise me for not wearing a Tom Brady shirt...

 

[drctother]

Says the person with the redsox avatar.

God only knows how many times I've been walking around in my Colts tshirt to have some douchebag start screaming at me about how I'm a horrible person and Tom Brady is better. I don't really give a damn.

Dam, thats intense haha you Americans sure love your football. I am so sad I have never been to an NFL game... other then Seahawksm and we all know how well they play😴

 

[HuskyPride149]

Hey Everyone, I thought I would revive this thread since pretty soon, I may be forced to make this decision. I just recently interviewed at LECOM, and have a good feeling about it so I was just wondering if things have changed in 5 years since the last time someone posted something on this topic.

Can any current UNECOM and LECOM-E students post what they like and don't like about the school?
I don't mind the dress code, but I somewhat mind that there's no food in class or the library. Thanks for the input.