LUCOM vs. PCOM-GA

[justDOit11]

I have been accepted to both LUCOM and PCOM-GA. I am torn between the two and have to make a decision ASAP! Any input would be greatly appreciated.

LUCOM
Pros:

• Staff is friendly and helpful. Genuinely cares about their students
• 6 weeks dedicated study time for boards
• Lower tuition and cost of living compared to PCOM-GA
• State of the art facility; nice sim and anatomy labs
• Good board scores and match rate for their first graduates
• Current students love the school

Cons:

• Not very well established/newer school
• Few research opportunities
• 6 hours from home

PCOM-GA
Pros:

• Well established
• Closer to home (1 hour) / will have family support

Cons:

• No dedicated study time
• No sense of community
• Higher tuition and cost of living
• Facility was not as impressive

Note:
I am aware of LUCOM'S negative reputation on SDN due to their parent institution, however, I had such a positive experience on interview day. They were transparent about their program and was genuinely welcoming. The fact that it is a religious institution does not bother me.

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[libertyyne]

The opportunities coming out of these school are going to be similar. Maybe a little less due to the newness of Lucom.

Take everything a school says about their board scores with a grain of salt.

You cant really tell the sense of community in just an interview day.

Facility will mean jack to you after your first two years.

Having family near by is nice.

How much is the cost difference?

 

[justDOit11]

The opportunities coming out of these school are going to be similar. Maybe a little less due to the newness of Lucom.

Take everything a school says about their board scores with a grain of salt.

You cant really tell the sense of community in just an interview day.

Facility will mean jack to you after your first two years.

Having family near by is nice.

How much is the cost difference?

Thanks! You make some good points. I definitely want to be near family.
Tuition for the 2018-2019 year for PCOM-GA is $51,450. LUCOM is $47,000.

A cost difference of $4450.

However, a major concern for me is the no dedicated study time. I'm not sure how that will work out.

 

[libertyyne]

Thanks! You make some good points. I definitely want to be near family.
Tuition for the 2018-2019 year for PCOM-GA is $51,450. LUCOM is $47,000.

A cost difference of $4450.

However, a major concern for me is the no dedicated study time. I'm not sure how that will work out.

20 k in the long run is not very significant. I would ask the students on how they manage with dedicated or lack there of .

 

[Blanky]

I am going to vote LUCOM. If you are going to run into issues with your support system and being at PCOM-GA is going to make a huge difference then stick with the support.