Need Help!! LECOM-E vs. Touro-Middletown

[MouseMaestro]

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Hi everyone-

Just wanted to get some opinions on which school people would choose if they were in my situation. I was accepted to both LECOM-Erie Lecture Discussion Pathway, and TouroCOM's new campus in Middletown, NY. I am having trouble deciding since Touro seems so appealing due to the brand new facilities and the new Orange Regional Medical Center (which is where most of our rotations would be). However, I am hesitant about the reputation of Touro since it is a new school/campus (i.e. how the professors are, administration etc.) and the online learning system that they have. On the other hand, LECOM is an established school, and has the traditional lecture system that I am used to, but has its own set of problems (i.e. attendance policy, dress code etc.). LECOM is also considerably cheaper. So, if anyone can weigh in on this it would be much appreciated.

 

[evrybodylies]

Tuition was a really big factor when I chose my school. The way I looked at it was "is it worth spending an extra 20k a year for the same education?". Also, see where you fit in better and which school you liked better. If dress code/attendance is a big deal for you then go with touro and don't be miserable for 2 years; it's hard enough as it is. PM me if you have any specific questions.

 

[hallowmann]

Only you can really make this decision. If it were me, I would (and did, but with PBL) go with LECOM, but that has more to do with me, my family, etc. Tuition is something important to think about, but so is how happy you'll be. LDP is mandatory attendance every day for lectures, so if you're not comfortable with that, that's something to think about. The dress code is a non-issue for me, and you honestly get very used to it. I don't really know how the curriculum is at Middletown, but Touro-NY seemed to have their stuff together.

Whatever decision you make, don't look back. The grass is always greener, and every school has its pros and cons. Be happy wherever you. The truth is both will give you the resources to become a physician, but actually getting there is on you more than anything else.

 

[MJS4878]

LECOM-E. Significantly cheaper and more established

 

[cabinbuilder]

The dress code seriously is no different than going to work everyday. They run a professional school and expect you to look like a doctor. Period. Might as well get used to it now.

 

[BasilDancingCheese]

The dress code seriously is no different than going to work everyday. They run a professional school and expect you to look like a doctor. Period. Might as well get used to it now.

I agree, my sister is there and she never complains about it. She prefers it. There have been studies done that professional clothing improves test performance

 

[DocWinter]

Don't know why people want random internet opinions on a personal, variable decision.

Tuition at LECOM is better than anywhere else in the country. And cost of living in Erie PA is pretty good.

Unless you have a thing for the lights of the big city, I'd save the 20+K a year look at it as savings for wearing a tie everyday.

 

[cabinbuilder]

Don't know why people want random internet opinions on a personal, variable decision.

Tuition at LECOM is better than anywhere else in the country. And cost of living in Erie PA is pretty good.

Unless you have a thing for the lights of the big city, I'd save the 20+K a year look at it as savings for wearing a tie everyday.

I agree that ERIE is DIRT CHEAP to live in. They have sav-a-lot and Erie county farms that will save you tons on groceries alone. Rent is nothing. Dollar theater. Presque Isle is free. The weather is hell but the rest is doable.

 

[DocEspana]

In the end everything we say is going to be irrelevant. I dont think either one will offer a signficantly better education. LECOM does well (though, from what I'm told, its light on residency connections despite being in existence for 18 eons it seems) on education, and Touro-NY definitely had their stuff together (though this is a satellite campus. So idk if its 100% comprable to NYC facility, but its probably very very similar).

What you need to figure out is where you would be happier studying for 2 years. And that is really going to be a huge factor. People who are unhappy with the school/location have a hard time motivating themselves. The person who excells at Touro (NYC) because they are happy and can study hard will flounder at Pikeville because its the f***ing woods in every direction for hours. People who love the quiet beauty of nature at Pikeville will be overwhelmed and unhappy by the never-ending noise and high speed pace of NYC.

The same comparison can be made between Erie and Middletown, but at a more subtle level. One is truly the boondocks and one is just a small suburb. Both are at least an hour from anything city-like (though lots of malls near middletown). So the environments are more similar than people would think. But in the end, even if its not such a dramatically different picture at each, it is significantly different enough where you will *know* which one will make you feel happier and more comfortable and willing to push yourself hard to learn.

Go with whatever one that happens to be.

 

[MouseMaestro]

Thanks for the input everyone

 

[Seth Joo]

In the end everything we say is going to be irrelevant. I dont think either one will offer a signficantly better education. LECOM does well (though, from what I'm told, its light on residency connections despite being in existence for 18 eons it seems) on education, and Touro-NY definitely had their stuff together (though this is a satellite campus. So idk if its 100% comprable to NYC facility, but its probably very very similar).

What you need to figure out is where you would be happier studying for 2 years. And that is really going to be a huge factor. People who are unhappy with the school/location have a hard time motivating themselves. The person who excells at Touro (NYC) because they are happy and can study hard will flounder at Pikeville because its the f***ing woods in every direction for hours. People who love the quiet beauty of nature at Pikeville will be overwhelmed and unhappy by the never-ending noise and high speed pace of NYC.

The same comparison can be made between Erie and Middletown, but at a more subtle level. One is truly the boondocks and one is just a small suburb. Both are at least an hour from anything city-like (though lots of malls near middletown). So the environments are more similar than people would think. But in the end, even if its not such a dramatically different picture at each, it is significantly different enough where you will *know* which one will make you feel happier and more comfortable and willing to push yourself hard to learn.

Go with whatever one that happens to be.

I don't think the OP is going to get a good answer from this board, I think the OP should spend a week or so in both locales and see which they like better.

 

[DocEspana]

I don't think the OP is going to get a good answer from this board, I think the OP should spend a week or so in both locales and see which they like better.

2 days. Max. No need to spend a week at either of these places. Not a week worth of stuff to see.

 

[Seth Joo]

2 days. Max. No need to spend a week at either of these places. Not a week worth of stuff to see.

I think a week would be better, even then, its only going to give him a little idea of what its like at either place. He is better off asking current students at both schools what their thoughts are on the matter.

 

[DocEspana]

I think a week would be better, even then, its only going to give him a little idea of what its like at either place. He is better off asking current students at both schools what their thoughts are on the matter.

if you have two weeks to spare I am terrified as to how easy your life is. Also there are no students to see at Middletown. The clinical students are gonna be busy and hard to find and this is the first year the area has pre clinical Students.

my personal feelings on the matter is that if you need more than half a day to evaluate the area a sschool is in, then you are evaluating it incorrectly. get in your car and drive around. Use Google to see whats around. Find out how far you are from a mall and what area most students live in. The end. You'll have a damn good gestalt after a few hours of that.

And if you're evaluating the quality of education you can do that by simply talking to people online. Not necessarily the people at student doctor, but it is very easy to get ahold of a lot of students via email by just asking anyone at a medical school. You don't have to sit in a class to do that. Especially not 5 days of class. oh god no.