Most promising of the newer DO schools?

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jaguar33

jaguar33

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I know there are several new DO schools that have opened recently (ACOM, RVU, LUCOM, VCOM-CC, WCU, MUCOM, CUSOM etc.). I am interested to know if there is a consensus on SDN as to which school(s) show the most promise and potential for success in the future? Also would it be unwise to chose any of the promising new schools over a branch campus of an established school? Thanks for the responses!
 
MUCOM has received Goro's seal of approval. They have really good connections with the catholic hospital system in Indiana, and they have connections with IU.
CUSOM is one that is tossed around in a positive light a lot and they are opening a ton of new residencies throughout the next few years.
ACOM has a pro and con attitude on here. While they are supported by a healthcare infrastructure that was already established before the creation of the school, I have heard mixed things about the school itself (dean is a loosy goose, admin not quite as helpful/inexperienced), but no one really knows for sure except the students currently there.
RVU has had really solid match lists from what I hear, but has had negative connotations with it because its "for profit."
LUCOM has had people throwing down in horrible fights because many argue it should not exist and is making the entire DO community look bad.
WCU, I actually havent heard too much, its a decent enough school, but not too much hype.
VCOM-CC, about as solid as the other VCOM, branch schools dont necessarily count as the same as a whole new school.
 
For what it's worth I chose CUSOM over some established schools with good reputations. Very confident in their program. I did not apply to any of the other schools that you mentioned, so I can't give any more input beyond what was posted above.
 
RVU has been flagged by some SDNers (both students and grads from there) for having some pretty questionable 3rd and 4th years rotations.
 
WillburCobb said:
RVU has been flagged by some SDNers (both students and grads from there) for having some pretty questionable 3rd and 4th years rotations.
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I can't find it in the search. Do you remember the reasons?
 
victoriah said:
I can't find it in the search. Do you remember the reasons?
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The one that comes to mind is a recent grad whose preceptor for his surgery rotation was a nurse. I'll do some looking to see if I can find it, or the person's username (I know who it is, just can't think of the name off the top of my head).

Edit - was wrong it was PNW
 
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MUCOM. Those people know what they're doing! And a branch campus is NOT an extension of the parent medical school...in reality, they're competing medical schools.

jaguar33 said:
I know there are several new DO schools that have opened recently (ACOM, RVU, LUCOM, VCOM-CC, WCU, MUCOM, CUSOM etc.). I am interested to know if there is a consensus on SDN as to which school(s) show the most promise and potential for success in the future? Also would it be unwise to chose any of the promising new schools over a branch campus of an established school? Thanks for the responses!
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Can you really bunch a school with multiple classes graduated already in with those that have not graduated anyone? To me RVU doesn't even count as in of the 'recently opened' schools anymore. I've got friends who have had great experiences at RVU.
 
abolt18 said:
Can you really bunch a school with multiple classes graduated already in with those that have not graduated anyone? To me RVU doesn't even count as in of the 'recently opened' schools anymore. I've got friends who have had great experiences at RVU.
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I would agree, I was thinking the same thing when I originally wrote my reply.
 
abolt18 said:
Can you really bunch a school with multiple classes graduated already in with those that have not graduated anyone? To me RVU doesn't even count as in of the 'recently opened' schools anymore. I've got friends who have had great experiences at RVU.
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My bad, they have been around a few years longer than I thought. Basically I just meant recently opened schools rather than the very established ones such as KCOM, PCOM, DMU, MSU and similar
 
Goro said:
MUCOM. Those people know what they're doing! And a branch campus is NOT an extension of the parent medical school...in reality, they're competing medical schools.
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What do you think of CUSOM, Goro? General consensus seems to be that both MUCOM and CUSOM have their stuff together.
 
LMU-DCOM. Great match list this year. Told by our dean that we were top 2 among schools for students getting their first choice residency program. Outstanding faculty. Family atmosphere. Beautiful surroundings. Don't think you can go wrong.
 
Awesome Sauceome said:
MUCOM has received Goro's seal of approval. They have really good connections with the catholic hospital system in Indiana, and they have connections with IU.
CUSOM is one that is tossed around in a positive light a lot and they are opening a ton of new residencies throughout the next few years.
ACOM has a pro and con attitude on here. While they are supported by a healthcare infrastructure that was already established before the creation of the school, I have heard mixed things about the school itself (dean is a loosy goose, admin not quite as helpful/inexperienced), but no one really knows for sure except the students currently there.
RVU has had really solid match lists from what I hear, but has had negative connotations with it because its "for profit."
LUCOM has had people throwing down in horrible fights because many argue it should not exist and is making the entire DO community look bad.
WCU, I actually havent heard too much, its a decent enough school, but not too much hype.
VCOM-CC, about as solid as the other VCOM, branch schools dont necessarily count as the same as a whole new school.
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The colesmalls incident and the dean's DUI were ACOM's main woes, afaik.
 
user3 said:
The colesmalls incident and the dean's DUI were ACOM's main woes, afaik.
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In addition to this, I think acom's Dean was also pulled over for a DUI around the same time as the cat incident.
 
MUCOM
CUSOM
ACOM

are all high regards in my book

ACOM I originally had a chip with due to the forementioned crap. But I've gotten around that because it is a solid program.
 
MUCOM. Hands down.
I was one of those who didn't think too highly of it, and I was proven wrong. The school is catching up pretty fast.
 
Lucom is a solid new school. People give it a hard time for political reasons, but they have their stuff together. I was very impressed on interview day with how put together they were.

I didn't like wcu. The students I talked to were a little apprehensive about giving details. Also, the board pass rates really turned me off of this school. Their pass rates are on the rise but I just wasn't feeling it.
 
MUCOM seems to have the best reputation among SDN. If you can, I would suggest avoiding any schools that has not had their first class go through board exams, rotations or the match process. Schools can advertise how great they are but in the end it comes down to their board scores, rotations and match list. Its best to avoid being a guinea pig if you can.
 
Goro said:
MUCOM. Those people know what they're doing! And a branch campus is NOT an extension of the parent medical school...in reality, they're competing medical schools.
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Do you know if the admissions committee at the main school and a branch school usually use the same rubric when selecting applicants for interviews (with the exception of regional bias)?
 
bionerd89 said:
MUCOM seems to have the best reputation among SDN. If you can, I would suggest avoiding any schools that has not had their first class go through board exams, rotations or the match process. Schools can advertise how great they are but in the end it comes down to their board scores, rotations and match list. Its best to avoid being a guinea pig if you can.
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That's what I was thinking. I mean, when you hear of the "bad" schools, they are always said to be bad due to low board scores, poor match lists, and poor attrition rates...none of these can be seen in a new school
 
I was the most impressed with MUCOM (i interviewed there, CUSOM and LMU) seriously they have their stuff together
 
mct2762 said:
how can yall know whether or not a program is good if they havent even had a class take any of the steps/go through the match process?
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Money mostly. If a school is investing money then it's good.
 
touchpause13 said:
I was the most impressed with MUCOM (i interviewed there, CUSOM and LMU) seriously they have their stuff together
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MUCOM for me was really solid.

CUSOM was even better in my opinion. If not for the bleak surroundings I'd have called it my top choice.
 
Thanks for all the responses! This confirms the feeling I got from looking around on SDN during this past application cycle. Unfortunately I didn't apply to MUCOM, but was accepted to Touro-CA and CUSOM before withdrawing from my LMU interview. I'm happy to see that there aren't any red flags (so far) with CUSOM since I decided to accept the offer there. For me my decision was based mainly on proximity to family and cost of living. After interviewing and doing some research I am optimistic with my choice, but I realize that I am taking somewhat of a gamble.
 
You have enough responses here about new schools, so I won't comment on that.

In terms of branch/satellite campuses make sure you get the difference. A branch campus is a separate school. They usually have different admissions, resources, policies, etc. As Goro said, they are competing schools. A satellite campus is usually a bit different. Policies are the same, some faculty may be shared, some admissions are the same, and rotation sites are likely shared.

One easy way to illustrate both is LECOM. LECOM-B is a branch campus of LECOM-E so their admissions, policies, and rotation sites are separated. LECOM-SH is a satellite campus. The policies are very similar, the admissions overlaps (you select a campus preference), the rotation sites and selection process is done together, etc.
 
mct2762 said:
That's what I was thinking. I mean, when you hear of the "bad" schools, they are always said to be bad due to low board scores, poor match lists, and poor attrition rates...none of these can be seen in a new school
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The one that upsets me the most is a school's poor ability to set up rotations. If one's school is not helpful, there is a lack of affiliations, or one is facing competition with other medical schools for spots in a hospital; then the school is doing an injustice to its students.
 
Two different systems. The Deans may have very different views on what's important to them. One may like high GPAs, the other may want high MCATs.

chizledfrmstone said:
Do you know if the admissions committee at the main school and a branch school usually use the same rubric when selecting applicants for interviews (with the exception of regional bias)?
Click to expand...
 
bionerd89 said:
MUCOM seems to have the best reputation among SDN. If you can, I would suggest avoiding any schools that has not had their first class go through board exams, rotations or the match process. Schools can advertise how great they are but in the end it comes down to their board scores, rotations and match list. Its best to avoid being a guinea pig if you can.
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But on the other hand, are established schools like AZCOM and CCOM really worth such crazy tuition?
 
user3 said:
But on the other hand, are established schools like AZCOM and CCOM really worth such crazy tuition?
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CCOM I'd pay out for. Azcom probably not. But I just generally can't imagine myself really loving Arizona unless it injects some Euro/East coast feel into there.
 
serenade said:
CCOM I'd pay out for. Azcom probably not. But I just generally can't imagine myself really loving Arizona unless it injects some Euro/East coast feel into there.
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CCOM is a special breed because I know they do have the connections necessary to go into more competitive specialties (at least easier than many other DO schools). So like if you are holding out to do Ortho or something, then mayyyybe I would be tempted to go to CCOM. But even then its a gamble because you could find out on your first ortho rotation that you hate it and love FM and end up being like 300K in debt.
 
Awesome Sauceome said:
CCOM is a special breed because I know they do have the connections necessary to go into more competitive specialties (at least easier than many other DO schools). So like if you are holding out to do Ortho or something, then mayyyybe I would be tempted to go to CCOM. But even then its a gamble because you could find out on your first ortho rotation that you hate it and love FM and end up being like 300K in debt.
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Even as a FM doc you'll still have amazing connections.
 
serenade said:
Even as a FM doc you'll still have amazing connections.
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Oh my gosh absolutely! CCOM is seriously an awesome school. I live in Wisconsin so I know a ton of docs that graduated from there. They are all top notch and very happy with their decision. I am just saying the debt burden will be higher if you go FM from CCOM vs like LECOM, you know?
 
user3 said:
But on the other hand, are established schools like AZCOM and CCOM really worth such crazy tuition?
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yea I def think CCOM is worth it esp if I was down to LU or CCOM, I'll take CCOM in heartbeat
 
bionerd89 said:
I got selected for the scholarship after I submitted an essay and filled out a form.
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Thats awesome! So you are an out of state student then? How big typically are the scholarships? I mean even to make it roughly the cost of most the other schools would be a massive benefit, it sounds like an amazing program.
 
Awesome Sauceome said:
Thats awesome! So you are an out of state student then? How big typically are the scholarships? I mean even to make it roughly the cost of most the other schools would be a massive benefit, it sounds like an amazing program.
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Yea I'm going to be an OOS student. Its around like $12,500 which still makes the tuition really high. But there are other scholarships you can apply for once you become an actual student. Out of all the DO schools, MSU definitely has the most scholarships to offer. It is a really great school and once I visited the campus I knew I was set on attending
 
Without sounding overly pretentious, but LUCOM seems to be the only new school that I feel would be legitimately embarrassing to be a graduate from.
 
Why don't people like lucom?

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