LECOM (Erie) vs. TUCOM (Las Vegas)???

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mco

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I got into both schools LECOM in Erie, Penn and TUCOM's new campus in Las Vegas. TUCOM has not been very good in giving me info. on the new campus and how the construction is going. I emailed them to ask them if i could go visit the new campus and they replied by saying that they just started construction and that to look at the brochure they sent out...Does anyone have any info. on the Vegas TUCOM campus as I am deciding if I should send that deposit in or not...
 
Just my personal opinion which is based on talking to a number of DOs, think twice about going to TUCOM-Vegas especially if you're sitting on another acceptance. There are a number of things that could happen before they graduate their first class and I would be hesitant to take any risks with my medical eduction. LECOM has a good reputation as well. I don't mean to piss off any future TUCOM-Vegas students. I'm sorry if I do.
 
If you were talking about TUCOM the main campus vs LECOM then that would be a better comparision as both have their positives and negatives. However, you're talking about TUCOM LV.

I'll be honest. After learning more about it, the TUCOM LV situation right now is a joke. It sounds like the folks at TUCOM are just trying to make extra money without even caring about their students. I mean school is going to start in 6 months and they don't even know where the building is? Where are they going to get the professors, the facilities, and the rest that is needed to produce a good medical school.

How the heck are students supposed to find housing if they don't even know where they are going to go to school at. It really is outrageous and TUCOM should have waited a year or so to get everything in order before they hurriedly rushed into something they weren't even sure about.

LECOM has been around for a lot longer, is more established, and has a better reputation than TUCOM Las Vegas. For your sake, I hope you make the correct decision and attend LECOM as this could have a dramatic impact on your future.

AOA should not have allowed the accreditation of a school that doesn't even have a building yet. What were they thinking...
 
Originally posted by Slickness

AOA should not have allowed the accreditation of a school that doesn't even have a building yet. What were they thinking...

DId they accredit the school or is it under an umbrella of the mother school?

I wondered this with the offspring of LECOM Florida and TUCOM Las Vegas....

I was hoping they would name their schools somethign differently if they were independant.

you don't see Midwestern Arizona.....you see AZCOM
 
Honestly, I don't know anything about TUCOM-LV. However, LECOM's Florida branch has been well thought out. (By the way, it's LECOM Bradenton to the powers that be in Erie. Some of the students like to call it FLECOM to distinguish it from our own school!)

Anyway, LECOM-Bradenton has a beautiful building that is very similar to our main branch here in Erie. In addition, they are sending one of their most experienced faculty members down to Florida to run the program. It's a big loss to PBL students here in Erie, but a great way to start the program. In addition, LECOM already had a presence in Florida due to a range of clinical rotations that were available in the area. People can say what they want to about LECOM's administration, but my opinion is that when the Ferretti's set out to do something, the only way that they know how to do it is the "right way". Just my two cents on the subject.

Good luck on your choice. If you have any specific questions about LECOM Erie feel free to PM me.
 
CONGRATS on the multiple acceptances!! I don't know about you, but I never thought I'd be in the position where I get to decide between schools.

I'm in the exact same position as you mco. I actually started a thread on this exact same topic. It's called "TUCOM Vegas Anyone?" Lots of ppl responded, so you may get some info there.

Personally, I have to agree with Slickness about the scaryness of the situation. New location, no information...scary. But, I've spoken to other TUCOMers and even Dr. Haight, and there are pluses to Vegas. Only 75 students so lots of individual attn, better facilities, and the students have a lot of say. And now with them securing an actual location (875 American Pacific Drive in Henderson) they are just adding to the building, so I think it could be done by June. You can look at pics on their website.

As for LECOM, I liked it, but the snow was a bit much for me. But I did like the idea of the 3 pathways. It seemed decently organized and everyone was really nice. And now they've got the new FL campus...

Overall, I am still not sure where to go either. PM me if you want. good luck!
 
I appreciate your optimism, and I am equally optimistic about my future as a physician. I fully understand that risks are neccessary for growth, hell, as a business student I've taken my share of finance classes. I am simply hesitant to take risks on the largest investment in my life.
 
I totally agree with subtlewonder. I really don't think you're taking that big of a risk going to an accredited medical school with the Touro name. Yes it is the first year and yes the building is not ready yet, but I would seriously be willing to bet the school will be well up and running in August. I understand peoples worries but I think that in the end that's all they'll be, worries. I'm sure it'll be a bumpy road compared to more well established schools, but I think the relatively small class size will make the task all the more managable. Oh and I almost forgot, One dollar Heinekins and Prime Rib & Eggs only 2.99!
 
Yes, everyone, please listen to slickness when it comes to all things Touro. He's a bloody expert. He must have replaced Steven Davis as assistant director of admissions at TUCOM. This is the only explanation I can think of for why he is, as per usual, talking out his butt.

This is the information, for those of us actually attending TUCOM. Brian and I went to talk to Dr. Haight, Steven Davis, and Dr. Miller (in charge of basic sciences at TUCOM-LV) and received lots of very encouraging news from them. We were able to see pics and plans for the new location (which are posted on the TUCOM web site) and spoke at length with Dr. Miller about the way the new location will be run. These people are incredibly optimistic about the success of the LV campus and they will be done with the school by the time August rolls around. Most of the faculty has been hired and the dean has been selected. This is a not a new school, per se. It is a branch campus, which is slightly different. When Touro started in CA, lots of people right here on SDN told people not to go there because it was a new school. Well, TUCOM has graduated many successful and well respected physicians who score great residencies. The LV campus will only add to what TUCOM-Mare Island has achieved so far. The facilities will be state of the art when they are completed and there will be an emphasis placed on technology at the new campus. Dr. Miller is an easy going, empathetic man (at least, from our impression!) and I would look forward to working closely with him at the LV campus. Going out to a new place and being the first class isn't for everyone. But I strongly feel that there will be plenty of opportunities in LV, mostly because there is only one other medical school there - in Reno. There is a huge patient population that will directly benefit from the presence of TUCOM-LV. I'm sure there will be glitches in any new endavour, but any school is not without problems (oh wait. I forgot that COMP is problem free....). I feel confident that the faculty and staff at TUCOM will guide us into the first year at TUCOM-LV.

If ya'll have any other questions, post here, pm Brian or I, or talk to Steven Davis at TUCOM.

Tiffany
 
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