looking for a clear and balanced look at comp ms1/2

[deleted6669]

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as a resident of the pacific northwest, comp was not on my list of programs to apply to until I learned of their northwest resident track last week. for those of you not in the know, this allows residents of or, wa, id, mt, and ak to attend comp for ms 1 and 2 and then return to their home states for ms 3 and 4 clinicals. so, a few questions about comp...
is there affordable, safe housing available within a reasonable commuting distance with good quality schools?
are the anatomy and biochem courses at comp really as poorly run as some posts on sdn would seem to indicate( by this I don't mean difficult, I mean poorly taught/tested with low pass rates. threads on sdn tell horror stories about large #s of students having to repeat these courses during the summer after ms 1.)
I am looking for 1st hand info from ms 1 and 2's at comp, not " my cousin's boyfriend's brother attends comp and he says..."thanx in advance to any brave enough to answer...

 

[Adapt]

I'm not a student at COMP yet, but I can help answer some questions. I live right by COMP so have already looked into housing options.

There is this apartment called the Plaza that is in walking distance from school. People have said it's a bad place to live and it is not safe. Also, I heard that COMP does not recommend students to live there. I have been there and it seems decent because it is gated but the neighborhood is a bit run down.

I have found really nice apartments in Claremont about 3 miles away from school (8 minute drive on the streets). There is actually a whole street of apartments that have both Western students and Pomona College students which is next door to the apartments. This area is nicer and has a lot of stores around it including a starbucks most likely because of Pomona Collge being right there. I will probably live there once I get all the housing information and roommate info.

On a side note, the Northwest track is an interesting idea that COMP is starting this year. I'm not sure if adding the 30+ students in the class bringing up the total to about 200 students will affect the education. However, from what I heard, the first 2 years are good at COMP. Then again you might get better answers from current COMP students.

 

[deleted6669]

thanks-
anyone else care to commemt on the ms 1 courses, specifically biochem and anatomy?

 

[YellowRose]

i wouldn't worry too much about biochem. Dr Kiick teaches most of the courses, and he's a very good lecturer. He authored a few of the Kaplan biochem books, and frequently lectures for Kaplan. many of his notes are directly from kaplan text, so you know its very board relevent.

In terms of anatomy, its a mixed bag. Some are great and teach clinically important topics, some are too nit picky. But i'm sure you'll get that at any school.

If i had to do it all over again, i would pay the extra 100-200 per month, and live in Claremont. Its a better, safer area, and you can use the Claremont College's libraries for free. Their libraries are GREAT! plus, claremont is only 15 minutes from school. good luck.

 

[deleted6669]

thanks...I have heard upland is nice too...

 

[Toejam]

I'm an MS1 at COMP and concur with YellowRose

Frankly, I was surprised at how difficult both biochem and anatomy turned out to be. I've already had both of these courses (in podiatry school) and didn't think I'd have too much trouble. Well...."the best laid plans of mice men and DPM's..."

There's nothing wrong with biochem. He's just a tough test giver. He's an excellent lecturer and clearly enjoys his job. He's also quite an interesting character. He will often punctuate his lectures with poems by Shelley, Frost, etc. His exams are really difficult, however, and require you to UNDERSTAND the material, not simply memorize it.

Anatomy is equally as difficult IMO. It can be frustrating, though, because it seems as though they emphasize certain things, but end up asking exam questions that are truly nitpicky. They also require you to know EVERYTHING (and, in case you aren't clear on this.....EVERYTHING!!!!!!). You need to not only know the essentials of every anatomical part, but also the relative positions, the "what if's?" of clinical consequences, etc. The lecturers are a mixed bag. Some are pretty clear and others aren't.

Overall, I'd say that whatever you heard was sour grapes. These guys are tough, but if you apply yourself and then put in another 40 hours a week, you'll be just fine

 

[kiwiman]

I couldn't agree more with the last post. I am an MS1 and the classes are incredibly detailed and difficult - but this is exactly what I expected from med school. I think that the tests are fair and that we are prepared well for them. I think that what you have heard is inaccurate - everything is relative, and it seems that some people have very different expectations when it comes to med school. I expected to have to work like crazy & I was right - but it is paying off and I'm actually enjoying school & the program. Well, it's time to get back to pathology. Best of luck.

 

[scubadiva]

I agree with what everyone above. My brother is a third year at COMP, and when he was going through his first 2 years, he kept telling me, "Don't go to COMP."

Now, he still doesn't want me to go to COMP. He doesn't regret chosing COMP because of its location, and he absolutely LOVES his rotations right now along with the fact that he's still in southern CA with time to hang out here over the weekends.

In the end, he believed that after suffering the first two years, he felt rewarded in the end, but only after two years of complete hell!

When I asked him if he would have still chosen COMP after everything he knows now, he said that if he had to do it all over again, he still would have chosen COMP.

 

[DoHzA]

so maybe it's the place for me?

 

[scubadiva]

you've changed your mind on CCOM then?

 

[DoHzA]

i wish somebody would make up my mind for me

 

[scubadiva]

you wish...i wish so too....i just keep getting these sick feelings in my stomach as the deadline draws nearer!!! 🙁 😱 😱 🙁

 

[Pooh Chong]

I found this topic from long ago...hoping it still has some life left in it.

I understand that COMP is very difficult the first two years...seemingly relatively more difficult than it's peer institutions. Those who survive those first two years are rewarded with some excellent opportunities to do rotations at some top notch hospitals.

Can someone clarify this to me, why is the pass rate for COMP in the low 90s? When I was there the student guide said it was like 92 or 93 percent. My possible thoughts are: 1) the location is not only desirable but also distracting or 2) the schools is so difficult that not everyone keeps up and those who don't keep up are put in a bad situation.

On my student tour, my STUDENT GUIDE told me that the first year he tried his hardest and did well...but that during his second year he essentially had burned out (november interview) and was just trying to pass his classes. The student guide was a very nice person and I liked the person so I appreciated his honesty - but at the same time this has worried me the most. I also wonder whether these very specfic details/concepts for classes at western actually translate into better physicians. I am not saying COMP doesn't produce excellent physicians...but I wonder if the extra details that students keep mentioning actually mean anything towards being a better physician in REAL life.

 

[Adapt]

Hey Pooh Chong,
So you're still trying to decide between AZCOM and COMP? If you are from the northwest, I would say that if you did go to AZCOM it would be difficult to get rotations in the northwest area more so than COMP particularly with its new northwest track.

I actually think AZCOM has a nicer campus and I think the on-campus housing is great. It would seem that the social scene might be better at AZCOM as well. In other words, I think the first 2 years at AZCOM would probably be funner than the first 2 years at COMP. However, at least in my situation, the last 2 years at COMP are better than at AZCOM, and I think they would also be better for you in your situation.

Either way, this talk about which school would make you a better physician is kind of irrelevant. The quality of a physician depends on the work a person puts into his or her education. Good physicians come out of crappy schools and bad physicians come out of good schools. Whether you go to AZCOM or COMP would not matter as much as how hard you worked through your 4 years. With that said, I think it all comes down to what school you liked better and where you think you'd be the happiest.

 

[Pooh Chong]

To be honest I am torn between COMP & AZCOM.

I have friends (more than just a few) in the area of Pomona, and the NW track is supposed to be great (I heard from my interviewer and other staff down there). I think I could have excellent time while at COMP or a miserable time, which I am not sure.

I want to have a best medical school experience & ultimately end up practicing in the NW.

I think that AZCOM would give me a great experience...and that I should be able to still get a residency in the NW.

What intrigues still is that I think I could have the best experience at COMP (I'll admit it's because of location and connections I have in the area), but I am worried I will not like it. I am trying to exhaust all information to decide between the two.

I think it is true that good physicians can come from "bad" schools and bad physicians can come from "good" schools, BUT I think that the experiences one has along the way drastically affects who or what type of physician they will become.

If I was to rank my own personal medical school happiness/experience and then the liklihood I would match where I want to be. My current rationale says:

COMP - potentially horrible first two years....strong liklihood I will end up where I want to be. (45/90) or potentially a (95/90).

AZCOM - great time during school......probably will end up where I want to be. I think I would have a (90/75)

So what I really want is a clear picture how the education is in a nutshell as I have read students who are happy with COMP and those who are not happy with COMP with both in extreme.

 

[Pooh Chong]

So anyone in the know(particularly current COMP students).......if you wouldn't mind posting about:

1) what does the low 90s pass rate mean?

2) Why isn't it higher if the students are taught so much extruciating detail during their first two years?

3) Are there students there who frequently burn out? Is this a problem as it seems students there have to go through hell the first two years?

4) [particularly to any MSIII or MSIV] Was all that extra detail,nitpicky type stuff actually a valuable resource in what you believe is necessary to be a good/better doctor.

 

[DoHzA]

Originally posted by Slickness
Hey Pooh Chong,
So you're still trying to decide between AZCOM and COMP? If you are from the northwest, I would say that if you did go to AZCOM it would be difficult to get rotations in the northwest area more so than COMP particularly with its new northwest track.

I actually think AZCOM has a nicer campus and I think the on-campus housing is great. It would seem that the social scene might be better at AZCOM as well. In other words, I think the first 2 years at AZCOM would probably be funner than the first 2 years at COMP. However, at least in my situation, the last 2 years at COMP are better than at AZCOM, and I think they would also be better for you in your situation.

Either way, this talk about which school would make you a better physician is kind of irrelevant. The quality of a physician depends on the work a person puts into his or her education. Good physicians come out of crappy schools and bad physicians come out of good schools. Whether you go to AZCOM or COMP would not matter as much as how hard you worked through your 4 years. With that said, I think it all comes down to what school you liked better and where you think you'd be the happiest.

I'm sorry but did u just say "funner"?

 

[DoHzA]

Pooh your best bet is to go to COMP.
After extreme studying both schools and examining the pros and cons of each, I have a strong feeling that COMP IS THE WAY TO GO!

 

[that dr. jack]

Originally posted by DoHzA
Pooh your best bet is to go to COMP.
After extreme studying both schools and examining the pros and cons of each, I have a strong feeling that COMP IS THE WAY TO GO!

yup yup.

 

[Adapt]

Originally posted by DoHzA
I'm sorry but did u just say "funner"?

Ok more fun. Funner sounded right at the time I wrote it.

 

[NewAgeDO]

Pooh Chong,

PM sent.