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I am having a really tough time deciding.......if anyone could help me out with any of their own experiences, or why they think one is better over the other............Thanks......
MSU vs. KCOM
- Thread starter michmaki
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hi. i'm at kcom right now and i really like it. there is a lot of history here (obviously) and a lot of pride associated with that. the school is outstanding with the best 1st time pass rates on the comlex (that's what they tell us - it was something like 99.8% last year with only 1 out of almost 160 people not passing the first time).
that being said, i have only heard good things about msu as well. the affiliation with a large school is a plus as far as i'm concerned. i know from looking at rotations and residencies there are a lot of opportunities there. there are also a lot here in kirksville and it seems a lot more "traditional" osteopathic medicine. there is a LOT of otm here and a real emphasis on the use of manipulation.
i think both schools are good. obviously i'm partial to kcom since i'm here.
good luck.
that being said, i have only heard good things about msu as well. the affiliation with a large school is a plus as far as i'm concerned. i know from looking at rotations and residencies there are a lot of opportunities there. there are also a lot here in kirksville and it seems a lot more "traditional" osteopathic medicine. there is a LOT of otm here and a real emphasis on the use of manipulation.
i think both schools are good. obviously i'm partial to kcom since i'm here.
good luck.
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Mich,
I can't provide too much in-depth comparison, but I did interview at KCOM and took many classes up at Michigan State. My personal preference would be Michigan State--Kirksville is wonderful, with the nicest professors I've met and from what I've seen a pretty innovative and flexible 3rd and 4th years.
But MSU is MSU, and East Lansing beats Kirksville hands down for liveability. MSU gives you access to the larger university community, which is an advantage not to be overlooked--MSU is a city unto itself, with all the resources for anything, academic or leisure, that you could possibly want.
In the end I chose AZCOM, but if I had to choose one of the other two, it would be MSU in a heartbeat.
I can't provide too much in-depth comparison, but I did interview at KCOM and took many classes up at Michigan State. My personal preference would be Michigan State--Kirksville is wonderful, with the nicest professors I've met and from what I've seen a pretty innovative and flexible 3rd and 4th years.
But MSU is MSU, and East Lansing beats Kirksville hands down for liveability. MSU gives you access to the larger university community, which is an advantage not to be overlooked--MSU is a city unto itself, with all the resources for anything, academic or leisure, that you could possibly want.
In the end I chose AZCOM, but if I had to choose one of the other two, it would be MSU in a heartbeat.
D
deleted9493
I can only give a biased opinion on the matter since I am from michigan and am myself going to be going to michigan state.
Kirksville is no doubt a great school. Do searches in this forum and you will read of their efficiency in producing students that pass their boards on first attempt and of a proud history of being the founding site of osteopathic medicine programs. Students generally are happy with their decision to attend the program there.
At Michigan State, I can honestly say that I've never heard of a student who has been unhappy. I'm sure such students exist (as they must at all schools) but the proportion at MSUCOM seems considerably less than at others. I believe this to be true because of the family atmosphere to be found at state. My interviewer told me that Michigan State was listed almost every year as being one of the nation's most friendly university campuses...I found their medical school to be no exception.
Another reason that MSUCOM was/is my school of choice involves residency selection. Michigan has the highest concentration of osteopathic residencies of any state(see scutwork.com). If I am compelled by my rotations to pursue a highly competitive specialty, I feel that my chances are best to obtain a residency in that specialty as an MSUCOM graduate (most residencies look preferentially on in-state applicants).
Season tickets to spartan stadium and the breslin center really sealed the deal for me.
East Lansing is a great city to live in but it just might be that the Kirksville lifestyle is your bag
. Go where you think you'll be happiest.
Kirksville is no doubt a great school. Do searches in this forum and you will read of their efficiency in producing students that pass their boards on first attempt and of a proud history of being the founding site of osteopathic medicine programs. Students generally are happy with their decision to attend the program there.
At Michigan State, I can honestly say that I've never heard of a student who has been unhappy. I'm sure such students exist (as they must at all schools) but the proportion at MSUCOM seems considerably less than at others. I believe this to be true because of the family atmosphere to be found at state. My interviewer told me that Michigan State was listed almost every year as being one of the nation's most friendly university campuses...I found their medical school to be no exception.
Another reason that MSUCOM was/is my school of choice involves residency selection. Michigan has the highest concentration of osteopathic residencies of any state(see scutwork.com). If I am compelled by my rotations to pursue a highly competitive specialty, I feel that my chances are best to obtain a residency in that specialty as an MSUCOM graduate (most residencies look preferentially on in-state applicants).
Season tickets to spartan stadium and the breslin center really sealed the deal for me.
East Lansing is a great city to live in but it just might be that the Kirksville lifestyle is your bag . Go where you think you'll be happiest.- Joined
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Kirksville has turned out to be all of the things I heard it would be-
great professors, strong OTM department, flexible, etc...
My only reservation in coming here was the size of the town. I thought that it would be too small for me. When I read posts about KCOM, this is what seems to always come up.
The reality is that it doesn't matter how small Kirksville is, because pretty much all I do is study. Literally. So its just as well that I didn't end up in Chicago or San Fran, because I'd rarely go there anyway.
And, as it turns out, Kirsville isn't as small as I thought. Yeah, I have to drive an hour to get to a Target or Thai food, but other than that, we have everything you could need. There's even good mountain biking, believe it or not.
So I can't speak about Michigan, because I haven't been there, but if the size of Kirksville is a factor for you, please consider the possibility that it is a non-issue.
Plus, it is CHEAP- I live in a gigantic 3 bedroom house for 300 bucks a month.
great professors, strong OTM department, flexible, etc...
My only reservation in coming here was the size of the town. I thought that it would be too small for me. When I read posts about KCOM, this is what seems to always come up.
The reality is that it doesn't matter how small Kirksville is, because pretty much all I do is study. Literally. So its just as well that I didn't end up in Chicago or San Fran, because I'd rarely go there anyway.
And, as it turns out, Kirsville isn't as small as I thought. Yeah, I have to drive an hour to get to a Target or Thai food, but other than that, we have everything you could need. There's even good mountain biking, believe it or not.
So I can't speak about Michigan, because I haven't been there, but if the size of Kirksville is a factor for you, please consider the possibility that it is a non-issue.
Plus, it is CHEAP- I live in a gigantic 3 bedroom house for 300 bucks a month.
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Things you should consider when deciding between the two schools:
1. Tuition
2. Location - small town vs. city
3. Curriculum
4. OMT workload - very heavy vs. relatively light
5. Clinical rotations
I would say that MSU wins all of these except maybe tuition. KCOM is a great school- but the town, OMT workload, and clinical rotation scheme are negatives IMO.
1. Tuition
2. Location - small town vs. city
3. Curriculum
4. OMT workload - very heavy vs. relatively light
5. Clinical rotations
I would say that MSU wins all of these except maybe tuition. KCOM is a great school- but the town, OMT workload, and clinical rotation scheme are negatives IMO.
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I'd be interested to know what Direwolf means by "OMT workload". I am guessing they are similar. And if you mean that KCOM's workload is heavy compared to Michigan, I think most of us here are happy about the exposure to OMM. As MSIs, we are actually getting to be good at the stuff!
I think the point about Michigan residency availability is important. Something to remember, though, is that KCOM has lots of rotation spots in Michigan, so you would likely be able to end up there anyway.
Does the original poster have any specific questions/concerns regarding either school? It might be more productive to offer info. without just saying my school is better than yours, etc...
I think the point about Michigan residency availability is important. Something to remember, though, is that KCOM has lots of rotation spots in Michigan, so you would likely be able to end up there anyway.
Does the original poster have any specific questions/concerns regarding either school? It might be more productive to offer info. without just saying my school is better than yours, etc...
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LloydDObler nailed it. I am currently at KCOM and absolutely love it. The professors are awesome, and the town is so friendly toward the students.
The "small city vs. larger city" should not be an issue. If you can find time to go to the mall, sporting events, etc. in med school, then I congratulate you. Med school is a very very busy time with little down time. Once one test comes and goes, there will be another. It is a never-ending process. The size of the town should not matter in the long run. Once your two years of basics are over at KCOM, you have the opportunity to do your rotations elsewhere, perhaps in a larger area.
When choosing a school, look at what the med school offers educationally. This is what matters most.
The "small city vs. larger city" should not be an issue. If you can find time to go to the mall, sporting events, etc. in med school, then I congratulate you. Med school is a very very busy time with little down time. Once one test comes and goes, there will be another. It is a never-ending process. The size of the town should not matter in the long run. Once your two years of basics are over at KCOM, you have the opportunity to do your rotations elsewhere, perhaps in a larger area.
When choosing a school, look at what the med school offers educationally. This is what matters most.
D
deleted9493
The implication here, is of course, that medical schools are not all relatively equivalent in terms of material taught. It seems to me that this is a misnomer propagated by the occasional overly proud/zealous student.
Go where you think you will be happiest! I happen to like easy access to things, being close to my family, in-state tuition, unparalleled rotation/residency options, and family atmosphere. These things make me happy and compel me to attend MSUCOM!
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I interviewed at both and was accepted at both. Though the faculty and students were nice at KCOM and everything possible was doneto make me and the others feel welcomed,I just could not "see" myself going to KCOM. On the other hand, I felt "at home" at MSU during my interview. As for the OMM exposure, there are many electives you can take in OMM. I am not only taking one this semester, but also shadowing a D.O. who practices OMM this semester. I chose MSUCOM over KCOM largely on my "gut feelings" during my interviews.
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I interviewed at both - I'm an MSII at KCOM. I interviewed with the MSU medical dean. When I told him I had been interviewed and accepted at KCOM, he did nothing but take cheap shots at KCOM. Then, about four months later, I ran into him on the golf course. He was in a group behind me. I walked up to him, reintroduced myself, and told him I had chosen KCOM. He proceeded to insult KCOM again, gave me his card, and told me if I changed my mind, to call him. WHAT A JERK!!!! Soooo, I'm here and KCOM and quite happy. I have no doubt that I'll be able to find a residency position in Michigan, if I want it. In the mean time, I'll be going to Largo, Florida for my 3rd and 4th year rotations!
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I am an MSII at KCOM and am originally from Michigan. I grew up just a few miles from MSU. Although I went to U of M for undergrad, I did work in Fee Hall at Michigan State for a year. MSU was what got me interested in osteopathic medicine and I really wanted to attend that school. After my year of working there, doing some research into how MSU compared to other DO schools and taking a trip to KCOM, I decided that MSU wasn't right for me and came to Kirksville instead.
KCOM is far away from MI and I certainly had to think long and hard about moving that far away from my friends and family. I know some of the things you are going through in that regard. However, I can assure you that if you decide to attend KCOM you will not be disappointed. I absolutely love it here and I know I am getting a top-notch education. Please feel free to PM/email me if you have any specific questions about KCOM; I'd be glad to help.
KCOM is far away from MI and I certainly had to think long and hard about moving that far away from my friends and family. I know some of the things you are going through in that regard. However, I can assure you that if you decide to attend KCOM you will not be disappointed. I absolutely love it here and I know I am getting a top-notch education. Please feel free to PM/email me if you have any specific questions about KCOM; I'd be glad to help.
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rbassdo,
Why does the MSU dean not like KCOM? isn't KCOM the mother of osteopathic medicine? I don't understand.
If you can elaborate on this, I would appreciate it very much. I'm just trying to get as much information as I can. Thanks in advance. 🙂
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The crazy thing was that he made such general comments like, "Oh, that President they have isn't good." Or, "You don't want to go there. They don't know what they're doing." He also said he "knew" the faculty there and thought they didn't compare with MSU faculty.
When I saw him several months later (on the golf course), he did nothing but gloat about MSU and talked more general trash about KCOM. He truly did sound childish (like my toy is better than yours). I still remember feeling quite uncomfortable - like geez, what's wrong with this guy's brain chemistry?
I'm sorry to sound so negative about MSU. I'm really being negative about the dean. Actually, my other interviewer was lousy too, but for different reasons. I'm super happy to be a KCOM.
