After much thinking, researching, and reading I've finally decided on going to TUCOM-MI. My reasons for choosing TUCOM-MI over LECOM-Erie are discussed in the following:
Tranquility Love had posted a really helpful advice:
My best advice to you is to think about how you felt when you were on the campus of each school. How did YOU like the atmosphere there? Were YOU comfortable on the campus? Did you like the surrounding area? Can you see yourself there? Do you think you would be happy at which ever campus you chose? You can also look at their profiles and stats, but really, I think you do better at a school that you are happy at and not one where you are just going because of reputation or good match rate. If you are happy and do well, then you will get to where you want to go I believe.
- My overall impression of TUCOM during my visit there was much more positive than my experience visiting LECOM.
1) The Overall Atmosphere:
TUCOM was more laid back than LECOM. I also welcome the thought of warm winters, and calming palm trees at TUCOM. Although I don't mind the strict dress code at LECOM, I am not an anal-retentive individual and I am not sure that I can be comfortable under the "micromanagement" of LECOM's administration, and the cold sterile feel of LECOM. Granted, I had only spent a couple of days at both places and that first impressions can be deceiving, but after reading posts from this forum by LECOM's students my initial negative vibes of LECOM have been confirmed. According to the posts I have read, the atmosphere at LECOM cultivates hardcore competition, and gloominess... I am very much for cooperative learning and sharing of information and I intend to stay happy throughout my 4 yrs of med school.
-Heech's post had pointed out to me the importance of rotations and its relevance to getting into good residencies, which is the deciding factor of what kind of doctor I will become, ultimately.
2) My Ultimate Goal: What I want to be, and where I want to be.
Although TUCOM has no affiliated hospitals, its students are not bound to do rotations at limited local hospitals, as LECOM students are. TUCOM students have more choices because its students have the advantage of getting rotations at a variety of established hospitals, and this may improve the chances of students getting into these same hospitals for competitive residencies more easily. It may be more of a hassle to travel around for rotations, but I think this will definitely be worth the hassle.
-Green912 had advocated for the obvious, the tuition cost.
3) Is the $5000 of tuition difference worth it?
To med school students money can be a decisive factor. LECOM certainly has the lowest tuition cost compared with all other DO schools in their out-of-state tuition rates. Sure, it's good to not accumulate too much debt from taking out enormous amounts of loans...but when there is so much loans to pay off in the end, would $5000 really make that much difference? Money is definitely important, but I am not willing to let money control me.
-I am most concerned if I will be getting a good education from my medical school.
4) I really like LECOM's PBL program which I have been accepted into, and TUCOM lacks PBL. However, TUCOM does operate under a Systems curriculum. And this is somewhat of a comfort to me. Fortunately, TUCOM also has dissection as opposed to prosection as in LECOM.
-And lastly, inspite of what many people have been saying I really like the TUCOM campus. It is nothing like a dump in my opinion. I am not so high maintenance and I am sure I can handle seeing cranes and construction sites. The rich vegetation present on the island proves that Mare Island is not so full of toxic health hazards. The location of TUCOM is also very strategic, right near Napa, San Francisco... and LECOM is really in the middle of no where.
For the sake of my future, my happiness, and my sanity, I believe TUCOM would be my ideal choice.
Hopefully I'll be able to join you guys, but not likely til late summer since I live on the east coast. Also, not until I interview, get accepted, and decide to go there.
