LECOM vs NYCOM

[DocInProgress]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I'm greatly interested in these two schools. I have some questions. Please help out!
1. Does anyone know how much the tuition is for each school?
2. Does either give tuition reduction to in-state residents? If so, how much for each?
3. If given the choice, which would you go to? Why?
4. *not really related but..* if roughly 60% of DO's go to residency, what exactly does the other 40% do?
Thanks!

 

[Dr JPH]

4. *not really related but..* if roughly 60% of DO's go to residency, what exactly does the other 40% do?

I think you misquoted this statistic.

Perhaps you can post the link and we can help explain it.

I would say >99.5% of DOs go into residency...what TYPE of residency is what might be mentioned in that stat.

👍

 

[SmallTownEMT]

Here's some help with one and two:

http://www.aacom.org/colleges/tuition.asp

I've applied to both schools, but don't really know which of the two I would choose yet. I went to a LECOM open house to see it and liked it, but I haven't seen NYCOM yet.

 

[DocInProgress]

I think you misquoted this statistic.

Perhaps you can post the link and we can help explain it.

I would say >99.5% of DOs go into residency...what TYPE of residency is what might be mentioned in that stat.

👍

You're right. I meant MD residency. Do DO's in the MD residency get paid higher than DO residency?

 

[Dr JPH]

You're right. I meant MD residency. Do DO's in the MD residency get paid higher than DO residency?

Salaries for residencies vary tremendously from location to location.

I dont think you will find a clear distinction between an MD and DO residency as far as salary.

You can see large differences in salary amongst the same specialties in the same city.

 

[DocInProgress]

Salaries for residencies vary tremendously from location to location.

I dont think you will find a clear distinction between an MD and DO residency as far as salary.

You can see large differences in salary amongst the same specialties in the same city.

In the same specialties in the same city? Why is that? Is it because there are some prestigious hospitals that pay more, which are also competitive for residency?

 

[Dr JPH]

In the same specialties in the same city? Why is that? Is it because there are some prestigious hospitals that pay more, which are also competitive for residency?

Salary has nothing to do with the prestige of the hospital. There are other things that need to be factored in as well. Cost of meals, parking, vacation time, call schedule, leave for maternity/paternity, book stipend, travel CME credit...

Its just like applying for a job.

There is more than just salary. Besides, the salary is only a few thousand different for the most part...and its only for a few years.

I dont think many people chose their residency based on the salary they will make for 3-5 years while in training.

 

[MaximusD]

Salary has nothing to do with the prestige of the hospital. There are other things that need to be factored in as well. Cost of meals, parking, vacation time, call schedule, leave for maternity/paternity, book stipend, travel CME credit...

Its just like applying for a job.

There is more than just salary. Besides, the salary is only a few thousand different for the most part...and its only for a few years.

I dont think many people chose their residency based on the salary they will make for 3-5 years while in training.

For some reason I thought Gen Surg was a 6-year program. 😕😕 Maybe that includes PGY-1? Please correct me, JP.

 

[Dr JPH]

For some reason I thought Gen Surg was a 6-year program. 😕😕 Maybe that includes PGY-1? Please correct me, JP.

5 years for gen surg

IM, FP, EM (most), Peds: 3
OB/GYN: 4
Surgery, Ortho: 5
Neuro: 7

 

[MaximusD]

5 years for gen surg

IM, FP, EM (most), Peds: 3
OB/GYN: 4
Surgery, Ortho: 5
Neuro: 7

Neuro as in neurosurg? I thought non-surgical neurology was a shorter residency... guess i could do a search on my own.

At any rate, thanks. Oh and the Netter's flashcards are saving my ass since SOMA is taking forever to get going with the free Netter's... that and baby moore 😀

Blah time to study something other than anatomy... maybe OMM? Landmarks in 5,4,3,2....

 

[Dr JPH]

Neuro as in neurosurg? I thought non-surgical neurology was a shorter residency... guess i could do a search on my own.

At any rate, thanks. Oh and the Netter's flashcards are saving my ass since SOMA is taking forever to get going with the free Netter's... that and baby moore 😀

Blah time to study something other than anatomy... maybe OMM? Landmarks in 5,4,3,2....

Neurosurgery = 7
Neurology = 3 (I think)

BABY moore!

AH! Youre not a surgeon!!

 

[MaximusD]

Neurosurgery = 7
Neurology = 3 (I think)

BABY moore!

AH! Youre not a surgeon!!

uhh... did I say baby moore? I meant the huge one...cover-to-cover... (****!)

 

[DocInProgress]

Is it easy for DO's to enter surgery as a specialty compared to MD students?
I heard DO's are limited in many fields - if I'm interested in neurology or neurosurgery, would I have a more harder time to enter those specialty than MD's?

 

[Dr JPH]

Is it easy for DO's to enter surgery as a specialty compared to MD students?
I heard DO's are limited in many fields - if I'm interested in neurology or neurosurgery, would I have a more harder time to enter those specialty than MD's?

This has been discussed too many time to get into it again.

try a search and I think you will find the answers

and FWIW, neurosurgery and neurology are VERY different in many ways, including competitiveness

 

[DocInProgress]

what keywords should i type? i tried a lot of stuff but i couldn't find the answer.

 

[MaximusD]

here's a short synapsis (ha ha ha)...

There are DO-specific residencies in neuro and neurosurgery... however the neurosurg residencies are extremely competitive as are the allo residencies. In other words, MD or DO, you are going to have a rough time getting a neurosurg residency. As for the likelihood of getting a MD neurosurg residency as a DO? I have no specifics, but I imagine you would have to impress the PD quite a bit through performance on rotations and with stellar board scores (USMLE!).

Note: I am a MS-1, and have not actually gone through the process. There are better sources.

 

[JaggerPlate]

what keywords should i type? i tried a lot of stuff but i couldn't find the answer.

just look through the DO threads, I'm sure you can find what you are looking for, or check out the sticky FAQ at the top of the forums. These topics have been discussed many, many times before. Also, I think your confusion with the residency issue is coming from the fact that you are not familiar with AOA or 'DO' residencies. there are MD and DO residencies, and as a DO you can apply for both. There are a lot of little details all over (some requiring an internship (basically what you do your 4th year of MD school) to apply, others you need to take the MD boards test in addition to the DO boards), but you can figure them out eventually. Also, if you wanted to check out the AOA (american osteopathic association) residencies, check out: http://opportunities.osteopathic.org ..... Remember that I am just a pre-med student though, and what I am saying is stuff I've just learned on the boards, but stick around and research a bit; you'll figure enough out.

 

[dcowboys22]

I heard somewhere that D.O's have some trouble sometimes getting MD residencies. Some hospitals don't accept D.O's to residency programs. Can anyone shed some light on this?

 

[JaggerPlate]

I heard somewhere that D.O's have some trouble sometimes getting MD residencies. Some hospitals don't accept D.O's to residency programs. Can anyone shed some light on this?

Sure, DO's would have trouble getting some MD residencies ... BUT the point of that statement is that MDs have 'some trouble' getting MD residencies. A residency like integrated plastics, or dermatology are very tough and competitive for everyone, MDs and DOs. As far as the hospitals go ... it was my impression that if you were qualified, you were qualified. It's probably the same thing as the residency question; some are competitive for everyone. Someone else can shed more light.

 

[mshheaddoc]

5 years for gen surg

IM, FP, EM (most), Peds: 3
OB/GYN: 4
Surgery, Ortho: 5
Neuro: 7

Just to clarify, currently, all DO EM residencies are 4 years and MD residencies are 3 or 4 years depending on where you go. With the new resolution passed by the AOA hopefully the DO residencies might will go to 3. 👍

I also love how this thread has nothing to do with the topic now. 🙁 Poor thread.

IS NYCOM PBL based at all?

 

[EEL08]

I also love how this thread has nothing to do with the topic now. 🙁 Poor thread.

That's exactly what I was thinking. LECOM-B is actually my first choice. I think the PBL curriculum seems like it would be a great way to learn. I don't know if NYCOM has PBL but I didn't apply because of the location. We have two kids and I really wasn't attracted to the location or cost of living.

 

[MCATTT]

That's exactly what I was thinking. LECOM-B is actually my first choice. I think the PBL curriculum seems like it would be a great way to learn. I don't know if NYCOM has PBL but I didn't apply because of the location. We have two kids and I really wasn't attracted to the location or cost of living.

NYCOM has both PBL and lecture based section.

Now we are back on topic. 😉

 

[Kappy1]

I'm greatly interested in these two schools. I have some questions. Please help out!
3. If given the choice, which would you go to? Why?
Thanks!

I chose NYCOM mostly due its location. I love the big apple. I was also impressed with its 2007 match list. They had a student in surgery get into John Hopkins, a student get into Harvard for Pediatrics, a few into Yale, one in Dartmouth, and one in Baylor, a bunch in NYU for P&RM, and many other prestigious hospitals in the NY-NJ area. One thing that I am not happy about is its mandatory attendance policy. Other than that I am very happy.

 

[jp104]

I chose NYCOM mostly due its location. I love the big apple. I was also impressed with its 2007 match list. They had a student in surgery get into John Hopkins, a student get into Harvard for Pediatrics, a few into Yale, one in Dartmouth, and one in Baylor, a bunch in NYU for P&RM, and many other prestigious hospitals in the NY-NJ area. One thing that I am not happy about is its mandatory attendance policy. Other than that I am very happy.

I could do without the subzero temps in the lecture hall

 

[Buckeye4life]

2. Does either give tuition reduction to in-state residents? If so, how much for each?
Thanks!

LECOM-Erie is $1000 less/year for in-state students.

 

[bkpa2med]

I guess I'll give my insight since I have this same choice. I'm a native NY'er and chose LECOM-Erie. The tuition at LECOM is $26k for out of state. NYCOM, from what they told us when I was there, is $47k and increases. Cost of attendance for NYCOM = $75k/yr. LECOM = $50k/yr. That equates to $100k in savings.

Yes you can argue about matches and what not but that all depends on the class that year. Last year LECOM matched anesthesia at Mayo Clinic and John Hopkins. There matchlist is pretty good, at least in my view.

People tend to bash LECOM, but as an LDP student I have to say I haven't seen anything of what I've read. Everybody is pretty good so no complaints. Remember that LECOM tends to teach you for the boards, I've heard that NYCOM has about a 70% board pass rate. These are all things to consider.

In the end you need to see it for yourself. Which is a better fit for you. I liked the atmosphere and honestly enjoy the dress code that many complain about on SDN. If you don't want to go to class choose ISP or PBL or PCSP.

Good luck with your decision and if you choose LECOM in the end I'll see you around.

 

[Kappy1]

I could do without the subzero temps in the lecture hall

I enjoy it keeps me up.😀

 

[MCATTT]

I guess I'll give my insight since I have this same choice. I'm a native NY'er and chose LECOM-Erie. The tuition at LECOM is $26k for out of state. NYCOM, from what they told us when I was there, is $47k and increases. Cost of attendance for NYCOM = $75k/yr. LECOM = $50k/yr. That equates to $100k in savings.

Yes you can argue about matches and what not but that all depends on the class that year. Last year LECOM matched anesthesia at Mayo Clinic and John Hopkins. There matchlist is pretty good, at least in my view.

People tend to bash LECOM, but as an LDP student I have to say I haven't seen anything of what I've read. Everybody is pretty good so no complaints. Remember that LECOM tends to teach you for the boards, I've heard that NYCOM has about a 70% board pass rate. These are all things to consider.

In the end you need to see it for yourself. Which is a better fit for you. I liked the atmosphere and honestly enjoy the dress code that many complain about on SDN. If you don't want to go to class choose ISP or PBL or PCSP.

Good luck with your decision and if you choose LECOM in the end I'll see you around.

I am surprised to see that NYCOM's tuition description on SDN are way over board than the actual cost. I might be missing out something, but are people including their living expenses or something else in the tuition? I am currently a first year NYCOM student and paying only 37 k a year for tuition. Out of state studen't don't pay that much more than instaters for NYCOM. (If you don't have health insurance (either from parents or medicaid), add 3-4k in total tuition). Otherwise, ~37 k is your tuition assuming you live with your parents. If you have to rent an apartment in the Long Island, then it's a whole different story.
http://www.aacom.org/colleges/tuition.asp

I will not discuss which school I would choose 'cause it will be very bias. 🙂

 

[Vee]

and, to build on what MCATTT said, it is possible to find perfectly reasonable housing in the area. you just have to look. i live with 2 roommates and it is actually pretty cheap; the apartment includes utilities (minus cable and electric) and isn't far away from nycom at all.

 

[EEL08]

and, to build on what MCATTT said, it is possible to find perfectly reasonable housing in the area. you just have to look. i live with 2 roommates and it is actually pretty cheap; the apartment includes utilities (minus cable and electric) and isn't far away from nycom at all.

The only problem is that your idea of reasonable and my idea of reasonable could be completely different.

 

[bob1312]

posted in wrong area sorry

 

[Mista Suprane]

For some reason I thought Gen Surg was a 6-year program. 😕😕 Maybe that includes PGY-1? Please correct me, JP.

most osteo and community programs are 5 years... university based programs can range from 5-7 years - those more than 5 usually include research years, which can help you land a highly regarded academic fellowship, if you so desire.

 

[Lfribble]

I attend LECOM Erie and like it a lot. I am biased though, I never looked at NYCOM. Like bk2pamed, I also haven't ran into any of the typical complaints that are mentioned on SDN. The dress code isn't bad (easier on females such as myself, guys straight up tie every day) and as far as attendance, I have definately seen empty seats. The profs are pretty good, some quite funny, the building is clean and the students that I have met have been really nice and helpful.

I personally like the area a lot and the cost of living is cheap (I am coming from the Philly area). Tuition is about 25000 for me and I didn't take out near the allowed amount of 50000 for housing and such.

I agree though that you need to see your feel for both. When I came out here for an on campus day, it just sat very well with me and I really liked the school. And I have learned to trust my gut instincts. Good luck

 

[Dr JPH]

Go to NYCOM. Better school & better opportunities. 👍

 

[JimT30]

Go to NYCOM. Better school & better opportunities. 👍

please elaborate

 

[DOnut]

please elaborate

I had to make the same decision what now seems like forever ago. I attended LECOM's post-bacc program, then chose NYCOM for medical school. There are many many reason, but I'll list a few.

Great rotaions in large urban trauma centers.
Great clinical faculty
All affiliated hospital in the NYC area (ie no need to move around the country)
Clinical campus program where you can chose one of our large teaching hospitals to complete all of your 3rd and 4th year rotations (electives can be done anywhere you want)- I chose St. Barnabas, Bronx
Pathology, pathology, pathology. Very very few places in the country will provide you with the depth and degree of pathology seen in NYC. The experience is second to none.
Research opportunities anywhere. (Both at NYCOM and other NYC Medical Universities) I completed research at Cornell during the summer between 1st and second year.
Ability to network and attend lsrge conferences. There are many national conferences held in NYC. Many with residency fairs associated with them. You have the ability to attend what you want since you will be local. Take advantage of this!!!!!!!!!!!!

I could probably go on and on, but bottom line, as JP said. I would chose NYCOM, better school, many many more opportunities.

 

[Buckeye4life]

If anyone can say NYCOM is a better school than LECOM, I applaud you for having graduated from both schools and earning two D.O. degrees. For those of us who can put aside our subjectiveness and just state what each of the schools offers in an objective manner (unless you have direct experience with the curriculum and opportunities at both schools), I think many premeds will be much better off in the long run.

 

[highballa33]

delete

 

[DOnut]

Another obvious reason why NYCOM is the better choice: (ascertained without having to graduate from both schools)

The lack of culture, food options, and diversity in Erie, PA isn't so appealing. The unrelenting, crappy weather doesn't really help make your day any better either. No sunlight may also explain why there aren't any colored people in the region..

Yeah there is a lack of diversity there. When I was in the post-bacc program, there were a total of 6 black people in the whole school. 2 medical students and 4 post-bacc students. This included me and my wife. That's out of almost 1100 total students.

I'm originally from Rochester, NY so I can't complain about the weather. Rochester is exactly the same.

I'm not saying LECOM is a bad school. 2 of my best friends graduated from there (they stayed after post-bacc) and they are both excellent physicians. IMHO, NYCOM just has more opportunities.

 

[BigBoySoprano]

I chose to attend LECOM over NYCOM. I was accepted to NYCOM first and I absolutely loved the school and am still grateful to this day to have been offered an acceptance (I'm an NY resident). My NYCOM interview was as low stress as could be and my interviewer seemed to absolutely love me, while my LECOM interview seemed like more of an interogation. I applied to LECOM late in the admissions cycle, after I saw the financial aid package from NYCOM (about 65K per year in loans).

For me it came down to pure financial considerations. I have always had the mentality that I am in control of my own destiny via my performance, so the extra 20% or so that specialize from NYCOM (on an average year) is meaningless to me. I am also an ISP student, so in another 7 weeks I will not have to worry about mandatory attendance or the dress code. I would have chosen NYCOM if I didn't get ISP. I would have also chosen NYCOM if I was from Long Island, but I am from upstate.

I think you really have to interview at both schools to get a feel for each school and make a list of what YOUR priorities are (prestige vs. cost vs. location, etc.). Remember, no one has attended 4 years at both schools as a student, so SDN opinion should be taken with a grain of salt. Good luck!

 

[musiclink213]

The most impressions people get are from interviews, and if you haven't interviewed at both, it's hard to compare. Also, different people like different things. THing is, interviews can also offer a biased view of the school. For me, I interviewed both at LECOM and NYCOM and chose NYCOM because I really didn't like LECOM. When I saw the plane I had to take when I flew in there, it basically made my mind up for me. I couldnt imagine having to fly home on a little 10 seater airplane where the pilot made us move to adjust the weight distribution.

But I guess that's not much to do witht eh school, as much as the location. For me, Erie seems like a really rural area. I was walking from my hotel to the Applebee's down the road for dinner, and about 3 people stopped to ask if my car broke down. Something just odd with that. Where I live in LI, there's still mostly people driving, but you can walk to say the grocery store or the Greek place for dinner. I also just got a really cold feeling from the school, but that could have more to do with the bias I had after I saw that airplane.

I liked at NYCOM you can work in an urban environment during 3 and 4 years. So that really sold it for me. I can't imagine living in the middle of nowhere (which is honestly what Erie felt like to me). So far, I'm happy with my choice. I also like that it's more established in the NY area, since that is where I want to practice, I think. As far as the board scores, I don't know the exact number who passed, but my logic is that I'm a good studnet, I'll do well no matter where I went, since not much is gained from lectures anyway.

 

[MDDOBS]

Well it seems that the last few posters really have no idea about Erie outside of the suburbanly-located LECOM. For either of you to claim that Erie has no diversity, or more to the point, no "colored people in the region" (as you so eloquently put it, highballa33), is absolutely absurd. The city of Erie is rather diverse in racial makeup, especially so for a smaller city. The city has a long-established, large Black population and a sizeable Hispanic one, as well. And, just for your info, Erie has the highest Iraqi, Somali, Vietnamese, Bosnian, Eritrean, Kosovar, Ghanan, Liberian, and Sudanese populations in all of Pennsylvania.

And, musiclink213, to call Erie rural is also laughable, considering that it is one of the most industrialized cities in the nation and one of the larger cities in PA in population. It sounds as if you were staying in the chain restaurant/motel/strip mall hell of upper Peach Street in Summit Township, in the outer suburbs, not in the city of Erie. Remember, LECOM is on the extreme outer edge of the city line in a completely suburban area. It's funny that most students from outside the area choose to live in generic suburban apartment complexes near campus, eat and drink at familiar chain restaurants and bars, and generally fail to explore the city beyond their small comfort zone.

All that being said, as far as schools go, I would choose NYCOM over LECOM.

 

[TexasTriathlete]

I can't live anywhere that I might be required to eat at applebee's

 

[scpod]

I can't live anywhere that I might be required to eat at applebee's

Applebee' has nearly 2000 locations in 49 US States, 1 US territory and 16 other countries. Just where ARE you planning on living then? 😀

 

[DOnut]

to call Erie rural is also laughable, considering that it is one of the most industrialized cities in the nation

🙄 Come on. I lived there. Lets please be honest with ourself. Most industrialized city in the nation?..or one of...? If you go more than 2 miles in any direction you will reach a corn field. I will give you the fact that Erie has a little "ghetto" and an area that LECOM tells you not to go into. That's whats laughable.

Erie is not a bad city. I had a great time there. Met some really good people who are some of my best friends now. They have a beautiful beach, nice parks. Everything you need (on Peach street). But lets face facts, the city is rural. About as rural as you can get and still call yourself a city.

I mean after living and working in NYC, almost everything seems rural.

I forgot my point during this post so I'll stop talking now. To the OP, please choose what ever school will make you happy. They are in very different areas. It's all a matter of what you want.

DOnut

 

[TexasTriathlete]

I should clarify...

If I go to a town, look around for places to eat, and decide that Applebee's is my best option, I don't want to live there. I realize that there is no escape from the presence of Applebee's.

 

[MDDOBS]

🙄 Come on. I lived there. Lets please be honest with ourself. Most industrialized city in the nation?..or one of...? If you go more than 2 miles in any direction you will reach a corn field. I will give you the fact that Erie has a little "ghetto" and an area that LECOM tells you not to go into. That's whats laughable.

Erie is not a bad city. I had a great time there. Met some really good people who are some of my best friends now. They have a beautiful beach, nice parks. Everything you need (on Peach street). But lets face facts, the city is rural. About as rural as you can get and still call yourself a city.

I mean after living and working in NYC, almost everything seems rural.

I forgot my point during this post so I'll stop talking now. To the OP, please choose what ever school will make you happy. They are in very different areas. It's all a matter of what you want.

DOnut

Of course after living and working in NYC, everything is much less "urban". But that doesn't mean that a place is "rural". Do you even know the meaning of the word "rural"? Rural means "country" or "agricultural". Erie is neither of those things. Compared to NYC, perhaps. But arguably, that can be said for anywhere else besides NYC. By the way, I was born and raised in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

And yes, Erie was, and still is, one of the most industrialized cities in the nation. That is a fact. The heavy manufacturing component still represents nearly 25% of the region's economic sector - that's much higher than the state and national averages. Your notion of drving for 2 miles in any direction and reaching a cornfield is absolutely ridiculous... I think you're full of it. You can believe whatever you want, but you're simply wrong. I can certainly see where you could consider Erie COUNTY to be rural, because for the most part, it definitely is. But in no way can the city of Erie or its bordering suburbs, Millcreek, Wesleyville, and Lawrence Park be considered rural. They are all completely developed and have population densities of nearly 5000 per square mile... that's definitely not rural (unless by rural you mean "urban" or "built-up") If you don't want to take my word for it, then just check out what the US Census Bureau or USGS feels about the topic.

Regardless, you are simply providing misinformation about the city that LECOM is located in and that needed to be corrected. Still, to the OP, I would choose NYCOM over LECOM due to the quality of the school and greater opportunities in the NYC area.

 

[musiclink213]

And, musiclink213, to call Erie rural is also laughable, considering that it is one of the most industrialized cities in the nation and one of the larger cities in PA in population. It sounds as if you were staying in the chain restaurant/motel/strip mall hell of upper Peach Street in Summit Township, in the outer suburbs, not in the city of Erie. Remember, LECOM is on the extreme outer edge of the city line in a completely suburban area. It's funny that most students from outside the area choose to live in generic suburban apartment complexes near campus, eat and drink at familiar chain restaurants and bars, and generally fail to explore the city beyond their small comfort zone.

All that being said, as far as schools go, I would choose NYCOM over LECOM.

All I said was that for me, it seems rural. And compared to where I grew up, it does seem rural. There are no subways, not much of a mass transit system, you wouldn't see people walking. At my interview, hte host guy was joking that the nearest subway stop is in Pittsburgh. For me, being a complete city girl, it is rural. There were no sidewalks around where I was staying. And I don't remember where I stayed, but ti was close to the school. Like I said, I had a very limited view of the city. I'm not saying it's a horrible place, but for me, it's not somewhere I could see myself. Then again, I also know plenty of people who say they could never live in NYC, so it's all a matter of taste.

 

[MDDOBS]

All I said was that for me, it seems rural. And compared to where I grew up, it does seem rural. There are no subways, not much of a mass transit system, you wouldn't see people walking. At my interview, hte host guy was joking that the nearest subway stop is in Pittsburgh. For me, being a complete city girl, it is rural. There were no sidewalks around where I was staying. And I don't remember where I stayed, but ti was close to the school. Like I said, I had a very limited view of the city. I'm not saying it's a horrible place, but for me, it's not somewhere I could see myself. Then again, I also know plenty of people who say they could never live in NYC, so it's all a matter of taste.

LECOM is in the suburbs, not in an urban area. I grew up in Brooklyn and I can realize that Erie is not rural! I really wonder if you and this other DOnut character actually know what the word "rural" means. Erie is a smaller-sized city. No, there is no subway, but most cities in the U.S. don't have a subway... that doesn't by any stretch of the definition make it "rural". However, there is actually a quite extensive bus system for a city its size. If you only stayed in a hotel near the school and only saw that suburban area, then you really have no idea about the city. I don't care if you think that Erie is a horrible place or think that it's heaven on earth... it is not rural. That is the plain truth and that's what the original poster should know.

 

[scpod]

... it is not rural. That is the plain truth and that's what the original poster should know.

I learned to drive on a dirt road because my mom didn't want me in the way of people on the paved roads, but my town was pretty big compared to others around it. The people in my best frined from college's home town voted to turn off one of the stoplights because it was costing too much in electricity each year. As far as I know the other two are still operating just fine. The town my sister lives in doesn't have a stoplight per se, but there is a caution light to remind you to look for the train My best friend's grandmother lived in a town that shared a school with the next closest town-- kindergarten through grade 12 in one building. They had a supermarket smaller than most convenience stores, and the mayor was also the policeman, sanitation department, and ran a taxi service to take little old ladies to church on Sunday.

Those places are "rural", not Erie.