Need Help With Deciding Between Two Schools

[Nowehjose]

However with that said, I felt overall the caliber of students graduating from scholl were better than those from nycpm.

I will still make the same money and trim the same nails.

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[Packers4lifeDPM]

Midwestern did have 1 person this last year not pass boards on their first try but did on their 2nd. But overall Midwestern has been almost 100% every year for boards for 1st year pass rates.

 

[DoctorBMD]

Not spamming at all. I’m a current student at MWU, feel free to DM me.

I’m simply stating my opinion (and that of those who chose DMU and Scholl over MWU).

I chose MWU to be near a terminally ill family member, however I recognize the deficits in the program and I am able to intelligently elaborate on them.

I’m interested in why you needed to interject here to bash your own school, when Midwestern wasn’t even a question for this person. Also, since you are a Midwestern student, and very, very few people here (like 1 or 2 total) has ever gone to another school, how do you have any personal knowledge of the other two schools in question?

Furthermore, what year are you in school? How are you doing in your classes? Why haven’t you enjoyed your experience here?

To me, this seems a little venegeful, which makes it difficult to gauge whether you have a problem with the school itself or you have a problem with your personal experience here (which varies drastically from person to person).

I understand that I have made this point on both of the feeds you have posted on, but I feel you are being unjust in your representation and would prefer to hear the whole story.

 

[DoctorBMD]

MWU might be considered tough because we take basic sciences with the DO’s, and as much as the Pod program would like to integrate, you can feel the stigma exists there that differentiate our program. It will be hard to earn respect from other practitioners with your DPM degree. Period. Anyone that disagrees hasn’t had enough real world experience in healthcare.

It sounds like your problem is with podiatry as a field, and not Midwesternn specifically.

 

[FutureDPM123]

To me, this seems a little venegeful, which makes it difficult to gauge whether you have a problem with the school itself or you have a problem with your personal experience here (which varies drastically from person to person)..

It probably just wasn't the right fit for him. We are all different. One might love the high patient volume of a school, but doesn't like area or facilities. One might like a school that's close to family, but low graduation rates/pass rates are a concern. You got to go with what's important to you as well as your gut feeling (we are not psychics).

I think the biggest mistake is when one doesn't enjoy the school they attend as much as expected and assume they would've been much happier at a different school. I thought like this often through undergrad. I would sometimes regret not going to an 'easier' school because I could've gotten a higher GPA or had a better college life. But when I actually did take some classes at that 'easier' school, I realized everywhere is pretty much the same academic wise. The only difference is the people.

When I was in the moment studying for a chem practical or tough anatomy exam, I remember thinking how stressful and awful it was. But now that I have graduated and look back at the 4 years as a whole, I feel I have accomplished a lot and my overall experience was good. My point is, these things seem a lot worse in the moment. But by the time you get into residency, you'll think back and either say "those 4 years were awesome" or "those 4 years were tough, but I made it through and I'm proud of myself".

 

[Ritchtofen23]

Hey everyone,

I am trying to decide between NYCPM and WesternU.

While I am from New York and realize that going to NYCPM would save me some money as well as allow me to see family and friends more often, I am very concerned with what I have heard about their "bootcamp"-like curriculum. As someone who struggled with certain science courses in undergrad this is really important. While I am confident that I can thrive in medical school, I would rather not make it harder if I do not have to. I am especially concerned with the low graduation rate.

I have seen that Western has a unique approach to their curriculum where they utilize a more critical thinking, real-life method to teach rather than textbooks and regurgitation. This feels like it may be a better fit for me if this is true. From what I've read western has higher board pass rates while retaining almost all of their students so clearly it must be working. Would you say their focus is less on hard science like biochem/genetics and more on clinical applications? Thats the vibe I get from their curriculum.

Overall, Ive read just about every thread I can find on this subject and they all come to the same result- "go where you feel most comfortable". I think having answers to these question will allow me to really understand where I will be most comfortable.

Thanks

 

[Weirdy]

Would you say their focus is less on hard science like biochem/genetics and more on clinical applications? Thats the vibe I get from their curriculum.

Thanks

Not sure how you've gotten that impression.

Have a few friends at Western and they work their asses off.
There is no getting around hard sciences except sitting down and studying for copious amounts of hours to pass.

Doesn't matter if its PBL or typical lecture/ppt formats. You will still have to sit, memorize, and discipline yourself to pass.

If you know you are weak in sciences, pick the program that is more forgiving. This does not mean your hard sciences will be any easier to pass.

 

[GypsyHummus]

to anyone wondering about the science curriculum, make sure to pay close attention to the GPA requirement for the Pod school. Some schools only need you to pass with a 2.0 and some schools require higher like a 2.6+. Getting all Cs at one school will still keep you in, but at another school, they will dismiss you.

Make sure you read the student handbook to schools you are deciding to go to.

 

[Ritchtofen23]

Not sure how you've gotten that impression.

Have a few friends at Western and they work their asses off.
There is no getting around hard sciences except sitting down and studying for copious amounts of hours to pass.

Doesn't matter if its PBL or typical lecture/ppt formats. You will still have to sit, memorize, and discipline yourself to pass.

If you know you are weak in sciences, pick the program that is more forgiving. This does not mean your hard sciences will be any easier to pass.

By no means do I expect to avoid science in medical school nor do I believe that one program is easier than another. Was just wondering if someone could speak to the unique approach Western takes to teaching and if it truly is different from the other schools. I apologize if I was not clear.

 

[de Ribas]

to anyone wondering about the science curriculum, make sure to pay close attention to the GPA requirement for the Pod school. Some schools only need you to pass with a 2.0 and some schools require higher like a 2.6+. Getting all Cs at one school will still keep you in, but at another school, they will dismiss you.

Make sure you read the student handbook to schools you are deciding to go to.

Which schools require 2.6?

 

[Weirdy]

By no means do I expect to avoid science in medical school nor do I believe that one program is easier than another. Was just wondering if someone could speak to the unique approach Western takes to teaching and if it truly is different from the other schools. I apologize if I was not clear.

I see, my mistake.

Friends I talk to study just as we do or students at other programs do.
Lectures, powerpoints, and supplement with Sketchy when needed.
Perhaps @firenation could give you more information.

You are also more than welcome to email current students who go there. That may give you the most accurate picture.

 

[Podstar]

Which schools require 2.6?

Per the KSUCPM student guide, at the end of second year if you are below 2.4 you will be dismissed.

 

[Nowehjose]

Per the KSUCPM student guide, at the end of second year if you are below 2.4 you will be dismissed.

at NYCPM you are top 50.

#gradetheboards

 

[Misterpodia]

at NYCPM you are top 50.

#gradetheboards

As a fellow NYCPM student, I can second that. Class average right now is 2.6/2.7ish in a class of 87. We originally had 99, lost close to 20 in the past 3 semesters and added a few foreign MD students. Do note that a B- is equivalent to a 2.7 at NYCPM, certain institutions don't grade with + or - letter grades.

 

[Ritchtofen23]

As a fellow NYCPM student, I can second that. Class average right now is 2.6/2.7ish in a class of 87. We originally had 99, lost close to 20 in the past 3 semesters and added a few foreign MD students. Do note that a B- is equivalent to a 2.7 at NYCPM, certain institutions don't grade with + or - letter grades.

Any reason as to why the average GPA is so low? What does NYCPM gain by having a deflated grading scale?

 

[Podstar]

Not sure what our median GPA is, but our exam averages are consistently 77-87% (A, B, C scale no +/-). I have over a 3.7 GPA and am not even in the top 20 of my class to earn a scholarship. I would love it if our classes were P/F and boards were scored like Step. It would take so much stress off busting my ass trying to be in the top 25% because that’s all the residency I want takes. We started with 125 and are now at around 100 students.

 

[xoxo111]

We originally had 99, lost close to 20 in the past 3 semesters

This concerns me as a prospective student...

 

[Ritchtofen23]

This concerns me as a prospective student...

Could not agree more. Does anyone know if this is something that happens because they are taking students who are under-qualified or that they are that much more difficult a program? I get they have high board pass rates but so does western and their last 2 graduating classes have only lost 2 students each based on the data they provided me. What am I missing?

 

[Misterpodia]

Everyone had their own circumstances for leaving the school (academic/health/personal issues).
Evaluate the curriculum for the different programs you are interested in and see which one you like best.
Difficulty of a program is subjective. If you can put in the work, then you will do fine.

 

[Nowehjose]

NYCPM is a good education, but they teach like a boot camp and not a medical school that is a leader in research in its field.

 

[firenation]

Hey everyone,

I am trying to decide between NYCPM and WesternU.

While I am from New York and realize that going to NYCPM would save me some money as well as allow me to see family and friends more often, I am very concerned with what I have heard about their "bootcamp"-like curriculum. As someone who struggled with certain science courses in undergrad this is really important. While I am confident that I can thrive in medical school, I would rather not make it harder if I do not have to. I am especially concerned with the low graduation rate.

I have seen that Western has a unique approach to their curriculum where they utilize a more critical thinking, real-life method to teach rather than textbooks and regurgitation. This feels like it may be a better fit for me if this is true. From what I've read western has higher board pass rates while retaining almost all of their students so clearly it must be working. Would you say their focus is less on hard science like biochem/genetics and more on clinical applications? Thats the vibe I get from their curriculum.

Overall, Ive read just about every thread I can find on this subject and they all come to the same result- "go where you feel most comfortable". I think having answers to these question will allow me to really understand where I will be most comfortable.

Thanks

Lol hello hello, sorry for the very late reply!! I’m prob too late but here’s some info:

WesternU’s curriculum follows a systems based approach. 1st year focuses on learning all the basics like biochem, physio, anatomy, etc etc. 2nd year focuses on learning more detailed information such as pathology and pharmacology. Our pathology lectures are often taught by specialists in the field, and their exam questions are often 3rd order workup related questions. Each block focuses on a specific system, like cardio, renal, or MSK. As earlier stated, medicine will be a lot of memorization no matter where you go, and we still had to learn biochem, molecular and cell bio, and genetics in ~6 weeks, so that’s fun. Not sure if that was helpful, but please feel free to ask more questions! I haven’t talked to many students at other schools so I honestly don’t know the difference.

As everyone said, put in the work and you will be successful no matter where you go! Med school is very challenging and stressful, but you just have to do your best and reach out when you need help. I am from SoCal and mainly chose WesternU to be close to family and friends, but my program has taught me so much and I’m really happy I chose WesternU. Good luck and please feel free to pm me with more questions!