LECOM-E or WVSOM

I was deciding between the two this time last year, and chose LECOM. I'm happy with my decision so far! The two schools couldn't be any more opposite.
WVSOM: very laid back, family feel to it, lecture halls VERY casual, come to lecture in PJ's and put your crap all over the desk, EXPENSIVE.

LECOM: very uptight, somewhat of a family feel between students and
professors but administration is more of a "dictatorship feel," the lecture halls are very formal, come to lectures in shirt/tie with only computer and notes on desk, CHEAP.

I decided to go the cheap route, and have enjoyed it! I feel like my education has been very good so far, there is a lot of bitching that goes on at the school but it mostly centers around one person. Sylvia Ferretti, the Dean of Education. If you are out of state for WVSOM, I would choose LECOM because the extra 20k a year will mean paying of loans for about a decade longer... Just my opinion...

 

I am going to go to WVSOM next year and my one and ony reserve is the money. If $ is not an issue I would go WVSOM ALL the WAY. As the pp person said, the feel and family environment of WVSOM cna't be beat. Besides Lewisburg >>>>>>> Erie. WV is older and more established too! They were so awesome when we were there and every time I have talked to them. Another BIGGIE, I have heard quite a few people that have complained about LECOM. However, I have NEVER heard tlaked to a single person from WVSOM that had anything bad to say!

 

After I found out I got into LECOM, I cancelled my WVSOM interview. Money was a big reason, but location was as well. I also don't mind the uptight dress code/mandatory attendance jazz of LECOM and have heard a lot of positives about the school in addition to the negatives. If money isn't an issue, go with where you got the better feel.

 

You have to be kidding.

Lewisburg, while a pretty little town, is just that, a very little town. It has less than 4,000 people.

Erie is the 3rd largest city in PA and at the center of a tri-state area of over 1 million people. The two places cannot even be realistically compared. Erie offers so much more in terms of opportunity, recreation, entertainment, culture, etc. There are 5 other colleges/universities in the region. And, as far as health care goes, there are two major, nationally-recognized, tertiary care hospitals in the city (Hamot, St. Vincent), Millcreek Community Hospital, Shriners Hospital, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Specialty Select Acute Care Hospital. Simply put, these opportunities do not exist in Lewisburg, WV.

Erie is not some Shangri-La by any means, but Lewisburg is not even in the same league. If it works for you, good. But at least be honest to others who are weighing their options.

 

While these things may be true for YOU, I don't think my post was at all dishonest! To ME Lewisburg>>>>>> ERIE. ERIE is a big, ugly, city, that is cold with crappy weather. Lewisburg is a small TOWN, with a good family feel, and TONS of outdoors stuff to do! MUCH better fit for ME.

 

^ It has nothing to do with being true for ME. The points I listed are just true, plain and simple.

I said "if it works for YOU, good." A person originally asked which school to choose and one of your reasons was because Lewisburg is just so much greater than Erie. In what ways? You failed to give any reasons why, other than just because that's the way you feel because it works for you. People want to know about a school's location largely for quality of life issues besides being a small town good for families with children. Just to let you know, most medical students do not have children. Many potential and current medical students are much more interested in location in terms of clinical opportunities during school, training, and possible career prospects post graduation. Lewisburg cannot even close to offering the local opportunities of Erie (and Erie's not by any means any national major medical center).

And yes, Erie does have cold, crappy weather in the winter (as most areas of the northeast and midwest do), but not all year round. And there are also endless outdoor recereational opportunities in the Erie area (Lake Erie, Presque Isle, Allegheny National Forest and mountains, Peak n' Peak, etc.).

Oh and by the way, I'm not even a student in Erie. I went to Pitt and am well aware of the differences between Erie and Lewisburg. For future doctors, I'd recommend Erie for all of the previously stated reasons.

 

I was deciding between the two as well. If money isn't a concern I would definitely go to WVSOM. But, I just felt that in the end you'll be a doctor no matter where you go. Why pay more more the same degree? If it makes you feel better take that $80K saving and buy yourself a BMW or whatever. Dressing up is a hassle but you only do it from 8 to 5. You don't have to deal with administration if you do well in your classes (e.g., pass). I like the curriculum here. We are starting clinicals already. System base learning is the best. About attendance, they do take attendance but maybe once or twice a month and people do skip all the time. I know I do. Good luck on your decisions.

 

hahaha it's funny how you phrased this because you made it seem like Erie, Pa is this HUGE place but in reality, it's NOT!!!!

Yes, Erie is PA's 3rd largest "cities" (more of a town). However, it's not as big and extravagant as you make it seem.

In fact, on football saturdays during the fall college season, Beaver Stadium (Penn State's football stadium) becomes the 3rd largest place in PA so in comparison to everything that's relative, Erie isn't that big.

Just an insight for those not familiar with PA...

***This is not to say LECOM is bad and this is not in judgement of Erie, PA. moreover, this has nothing to do with WVSOM or Lewisburg, WV.

 

^I really don't see how I phrased it to make it seem like Erie is some huge place. I'm well aware that it is not. It is a fact, however, that it is a regional center for a 3-state area of over 1 million people. The size of the city was only brought up for comparison with Lewisburg, WV, which is by far a much smaller place. But I'm glad you got such a "hahaha" out of it.

And your whole Beaver Stadium thing is about as ridiculous and irrelevant as things get.

 

Quite frankly the entire location arguement here is irrelevant, and I will tell you why. You are both using the same tactics to support your claim. Just as Medmom listed the reasons she likes Lewisburg better and claims it is greater, MDDOBS is doing the exact same thing for Erie. To point fingers at one person and discredit their arguement because it is a reflection of yours is silly.

FACTS that I have garnered from this thread:

Lewisburg: Small town, outdoor activities a plenty

Erie: Larger town, outdoor activities a plenty

So...the real question is this, do you prefer a large or small town atmosphere? There, problem solved. Everybody hug and share a danish now.

 

For the billionth time, WVSOM if money is not a factor.

LECOM is much cheaper, but Lewisburg is far nicer, IMO.

And yes, State College is AWESOME on game weekends unless, of course, you are trying to drive anywhere.

::tear:: I will miss State College.

 

ah, if money wasn't a factor? hm, it'd be a really hard decision.

I might have to choose WVSOM just because of the overall friendliness of the people there.

Been to Erie, and really wasn't too impressed. Facilities are nice, but the overall atmosphere was really uptight which doesn't really suit me.

I agree though, in reference to "which town is better?", it's all about preference.

Erie is "bigger" than Lewisburg but both have pros and cons that you have to personally take into consideration.

And, yeah State College is a nice college town! haha

 

This is the most valuable piece of info ever posted on this forum. Bravo.

 

Agreed. It's hard to argue with logic like that.

 

Speaking of location....I chose WVSOM because it takes place in the same county where that crappy movie Wrong Turn was supposed to take place (except they filmed it in Canada...god, I hate that movie....)

If you're worried about the cost, then chose a profession that is not so expensive to get educated in, or try and get a scholarship from the military...

Visit both places, see how you feel. Like the old saying goes, you won't know until you try.

 

I interviewed at both places and loved WVSOM. Two completely different schools of thought on approaching medical school, and WVSOM seemed more tailored to my views on education.

 

While I won't be accepting my offer at WVSOM I definitely liked it better. The school had a very warm feeling and went out of their way to help you feel secure in the knowledge that you would get a great education their (plus who doesn't love their gross anatomy lab). Just felt like a better fit but that freakin price $$$$$$$$ if they could keep that down for OOS they would have people fighting even harder for spots their.

 

Well, if they can fill spots at 44k, they're not going to lower it.

 

Would you like to be tested every 3 weeks? Is safety an issue for you, ie, would you like to leave your laptop in the classroom and not worried of someone stealing it? If 85% pass rate on step 1 is good for you, then WVSOM is for you. Just remember that you are going to move on your 3rd year, since only 2 students can do their 3rd year rotations in Lewisburg. This means that your communication with the school will be mostly by email on your clinical years. To tell you the truth, I don't know if that is great. I have tried to contact the school to know more about their program (matching lists, mean score on step1 & step2, and other places to do rotatitions outside of WV) and I have not had luck witht that. I have been accepted at WVSOM, but not been able to get straight answers, or just any answer is The only thing I get is a name of who to 'has' the information and their phone number, but are never there.
Don't get me wrong, Lewisburg it's beautiful and the people there are great, but I just wish they were more open about their info.

 

Let me address the question about doing rotations outside of WV since the Dean just explained it to us first years this week. During your third, everyone has to do rotations in WV. You pick or/placed (if it comes to lottery) in an area of WV. This area is one central location but will include hospitals in a 30-40 minute radius. Moreover, in your fourth year, you have two options. Option one is that you can stay in WV and have the school set up your rotations for you. The other option is that you can go anywhere in the U.S. and some countries and do your rotations, but you have are responsible for getting the paper work filled out yourself. Hope that helps. As for boards, in the SBL curriculum, you will be exposed to everything that you need for boards (just up to you as how well you remember). In the PBL curriculum (which I'm in and love), you basically have to discipline yourself to study. Although the first 7 months of PBL are rough, after the combined courses are over, you will find yourself with ample free time. So you have to decide if you want to use that free time to study or be a slacker.

 

"Danish" .... good days.....

and for the record ... I was deciding between Touro-MI and WVSOM and came up with most of the same main points.... i.e. money... small town feel.... although I loved WVSOM for the small town feel and the people, the money was something that I didn't want to part with .... so Touro-MI was my choice .... I am sure both schools (Erie and WV), will have their own unique experience .. so don't worry ... you will probably have a great time whatever your choice is.....