NOVA and KCUMB

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toothlove

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Hi guys,

I got accepted to both Nova and KCUMB. Which would you guys advise to go towards. Please let me know, I would love any input! Thanks guys!
 
no idea about nova, but KCUMB is one of the first 5 DO schools, so it is nationally respected. plus that genesis curriculum seems almost second to none.

Edit: Just wanted to add that Florida has a python problem, which may not be a huge issue to some, but is an enormous issue to me.
 
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I really LOVED KCUMB. I thought that its atmosphere was amazing. All of the staff, students, administrators, etc. seemed so supportive and encouraging. I also loved KCUMB's facilities and campus. However, what I was most interested in was the Genesis curriculum.

I really enjoyed my day at Nova, but I was turned off by its large size. I can see why some people may want to go to a large school, but after going to a huge undergrad, I decided that it was time for some change.
 
Here is my opinion which is limited to my knowledge:

Both schools will give you a very similar education...very similar knowledge...very similar professors...very similar board prep....

Their OPTI's are what will differ IMMENSELY
Therefore the opportunities available to you at each school differ.

KCUMB OPTI has the following programs:

Internal Medicine (2 separate programs),
Dermatology
Pediatrics
Emergency Medicine (2 separate programs)
ENT (Otolaryngology/Oro-Facial Plastic Surgery)
Orthopedic Surgery


NSU OPTI is very very well-developed...
It houses the following programs

Dermatology (3 separate programs)
Internal Medicine (6 separate programs; it also houses some Endocrinology/Cardiology/GI/Interventional Cardio/Geriatrics fellowships)
Orthopedic Surgery (2 separate programs)
Pediatrics (3 separate programs)
General Surgery
Anesthesiology (2 separate programs)
Psychiatry (2 separate programs)
Emergency Medicine (2 separate programs)
Opthalmology
Neurology
Diagnostic Radiology
Family Practice (I know no one cares how many....but there are 7 programs...lol)
If it's of any difference to you...NSU has 1 Family Med program that is partnered with Duke University...Yes...DUKE!! 🙂


NSU OPTI>>>>>KCUMB OPTI

Thus, I would go to NSU without thinking twice

But that is just me....if you love anxiety, pressure & uncertainty, then by all means...go to the school which has a weak OPTI

FYI ([anxiety+ uncertainty]/2) is the state of those medical students who don't match anywhere....because a residency-less DO is un-employable....and not matching immediately after medical school is called "career suicide"....
 
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btw the "go where you'll be happy for the next 4 years" is so silly....and so short-sighted that it always makes me smile...
Perhaps they should say, "go where you'll be happy for the next 4 years REALIZING that your choice has a significant role to play in what you will be doing for the remainder of your career after those 4 years"
 
FutureDoctorrrr said:
btw the "go where you'll be happy for the next 4 years" is so silly....and so short-sighted that it always makes me smile...
Perhaps they should say, "go where you'll be happy for the next 4 years REALIZING that your choice has a significant role to play in what you will be doing for the remainder of your career after those 4 years"
Click to expand...

I noticed that you are posting a lot of OPTI stuff lately and that is fine, but to some, it isn't that important. Don't get me wrong, it is still important, but if you are going to be unhappy somewhere, maybe away from the family, or in an area you aren't going to like, or whatever the reason, I don't think you should go there. Happy people are productive people and if you are unhappy and unproductive, it doesn't matter how many affiliated choices there are.

i would chose DMU 1,000 times before any other school regardless of the affiliated options. And just because NSU has more OPTIs doesn't necessarily mean it is nationally a better choice than KCUMB. or vice versa.

just playing devil's advocate.
 
FrkyBgStok said:
I noticed that you are posting a lot of OPTI stuff lately and that is fine, but to some, it isn't that important. Don't get me wrong, it is still important, but if you are going to be unhappy somewhere, maybe away from the family, or in an area you aren't going to like, or whatever the reason, I don't think you should go there. Happy people are productive people and if you are unhappy and unproductive, it doesn't matter how many affiliated choices there are.

i would chose DMU 1,000 times before any other school regardless of the affiliated options. And just because NSU has more OPTIs doesn't necessarily mean it is nationally a better choice than KCUMB. or vice versa.

just playing devil's advocate.
Click to expand...

I respectfully disagree with your opinion.

RESIDENCY OPPORTUNITIES should be at the TOP of every prospective medical student's agenda.

That is my opinion.
 
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And you have the right to your opinion, but it is hard to take doom and gloom stuff seriously from someone who is in the exact same position as all us, as in starting med school this fall. And based on your reasoning I assume UMDNJ has the greatest number of OPTIs in the nation? And I just can't buy that a student at one of the top 5 oldest schools is not better off nationally than someone in the 5 newest schools regardless of affiliated residencies. Moreover, sure a residency program is going to show preference to their own grads, but arguing that a more qualified candidate is going to get shafted because the school isn't affiliated is ridiculous.

Why would an OPTI prefer its students more in a crunch? That doesn't make sense at all. In fact, they will prefer them much less because of the fact that there will be more (and better) students to choose from. And there are spots going unfilled so I can't buy that there is that many students that can't match nor scramble into something.

You can legally practice medicine after completing an intern year. So not sure why not completing a residency makes someone unemployable. Go work for yourself then. Win.

And from everything I have read, the anticipated residency crunch is going to be felt the most on IMGs. And if the rate of growth isn't the same as the rate of expansion, cool. How does that have much of an effect on the class of 2016? It will likely affect future classes as there is a lot of talk about future med schools but there is physician shortage.

Maybe we can agree to disagree, but your argument to choose based on OPTI alone is stupid. If I were to choose MSU over DMU, I would have more OPTI choices, but I would move away from my entire support system into an area I don't want to be, at a school at don't want to be at, and will end with an additional $200k MORE debt than I would have going to DMU. How can OPTI seriously be my number one priority?
 
FrkyBgStok said:
And you have the right to your opinion, but it is hard to take doom and gloom stuff seriously from someone who is in the exact same position as all us, as in starting med school this fall. And based on your reasoning I assume UMDNJ has the greatest number of OPTIs in the nation? And I just can't buy that a student at one of the top 5 oldest schools is not better off nationally than someone in the 5 newest schools regardless of affiliated residencies. Moreover, sure a residency program is going to show preference to their own grads, but arguing that a more qualified candidate is going to get shafted because the school isn't affiliated is ridiculous.

Why would an OPTI prefer its students more in a crunch? That doesn't make sense at all. In fact, they will prefer them much less because of the fact that there will be more (and better) students to choose from. And there are spots going unfilled so I can't buy that there is that many students that can't match nor scramble into something.

You can legally practice medicine after completing an intern year. So not sure why not completing a residency makes someone unemployable. Go work for yourself then. Win.

And from everything I have read, the anticipated residency crunch is going to be felt the most on IMGs. And if the rate of growth isn't the same as the rate of expansion, cool. How does that have much of an effect on the class of 2016? It will likely affect future classes as there is a lot of talk about future med schools but there is physician shortage.

Maybe we can agree to disagree, but your argument to choose based on OPTI alone is stupid. If I were to choose MSU over DMU, I would have more OPTI choices, but I would move away from my entire support system into an area I don't want to be, at a school at don't want to be at, and will end with an additional $200k MORE debt than I would have going to DMU. How can OPTI seriously be my number one priority?
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UMDNJ has the greatest number of OPTIs in the nation?

Off course it doesn't...UMDNJ's OPTI has the greatest number of OPTI slots among the schools that I got into...but this thread isn't about me. Don't take it personally. Don't make it personal.

If I were to choose MSU over DMU, I would have more OPTI (slots) to choose from?

Yes...very extremely tremendously more.....

DMU's OPTI is....well....5 FP programs + 1 GS program

MSU's OPTI is....well...MULTIPLE programs in the following fields


Anesthesiology
Anesthesiology - Pain Management
Cardiology
Child Psychiatry
Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology
Critical Care Medicine
Dermatology
Diagnostic Radiology
Emergency Medicine
Emergency Medicine/Family Medicine
Emergency Medicine/Internal Medicine
Endocrinology
Family Medicine
Gastroenterology
General Surgery
General Vascular Surgery
Geriatrics- Internal Medicine
Geriatrics-FP
Hematology/Oncology
Infectious Diseases
Integrated Family Practice/NMM
Internal Medicine
Interventional Cardiology
Maternal Fetal Medicine
Micrographic Surgery
Musculoskeletal Oncology
Nephrology
Neurological Surgery
Neurology
Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine
Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine + 1
Obstetrics and Gynecological Surgery
Ophthalmology
Orthopedic Surgery
Otolaryngic Allergy
Otolaryngology/Facial Plastic Surgery
Pediatrics
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Plastic And Reconstructive Surgery
Psychiatry
Pulmonary Diseases
Pulmonary/Critical Care
Rheumatology
Spine Surgery
Sports Medicine
Traditional Rotating Internship
Urological Surgery


I would move away from my entire support system

That is called....(dealing with life + growing up)/2

your argument to choose based on OPTI alone is stupid

Don't make it personal. Don't take it personally.
 
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an additional $200k MORE debt than I would have going to DMU.

If you get one of the "bank" residencies...anesthesia, ortho, opthalmo, radiology, etc.....200K is....negligible...

DMU OPTI doesn't have any "bank" residencies

MSU OPTI is filled with "bank" residencies

Just a reminder: Don't take anything I say personally. Don't make it personal for me.
 
Stick to facts. Your opinions have as much weight as mine.
 
I don't think Stok's taking it personally... he's just saying that choosing a school with OPTI's as the highest priority is somewhat silly, because having a support system (family/friends) around a certain school can be more important. It's not like someone from DMU can't match into another OPTI... but it IS certain that if you have family and friends in Des Moines (for example), and you move away... then you'll lose that support simply because they won't be with you.

I think the inconvenience in going to a school with less OPTI's is being exaggerated a bit. Just my opinion... but I've read a lot about it. And while going to a school with certain OPTIs may give you a better shot at matching into those programs... there are other things that are just as important, especially if you have a family to consider as well.
 
I am sticking to the facts and I am not taking it personal. I am informing you that your reasoning is flawed. And I said MSU would be $200k MORE. So in essence, $400k. To argue it is better to go to MSU for the residencies than to DMU for the tuition goes against both common sense, and what everyone on the forums say except for you. And for some, moving away from a support system isn't as easy as "deal with it." My wife works here, my kids go to school here, their grandparents are here, babysitters I trust are here, the home i own is here, and numerous other things. My support system may be different than yours or anyones, but that doesn't mean being close to a support system is invalid.

I am not taking things personal nor making it personal, but you are using broad statements when you say "everyone should be concerned with this." I am using me as a simple example because that is what I know. Another example. I was accepted to KCUMB and DMU before i withdrew everything and I felt truly happy at DMU and i felt that i just couldn't go to KCUMB. I didn't like the school. It wasn't for me. Many people feel the same about other schools. It is important that you enjoy where you are going. Like I said, KCUMB wouldn't be as conducive to my own education. Bank residencies become a non-issue at this point. Not taking personal, but a person should consider it.

And a point that you didn't address is the fact that the residency crunch won't be that big of an issue to 2016 students. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I am just failing to see how OPTI choices should be the number one choice, and you rattle off doom and gloom that could make someone choose a school that goes against what they truly want, and I am failing to see why that would be a good idea.

Again, not personal, just trying to clear up why you stand behind the OPTI stuff so much.
 
FrkyBgStok said:
I am sticking to the facts and I am not taking it personal. I am informing you that your reasoning is flawed. And I said MSU would be $200k MORE. So in essence, $400k. To argue it is better to go to MSU for the residencies than to DMU for the tuition goes against both common sense, and what everyone on the forums say except for you. And for some, moving away from a support system isn't as easy as "deal with it." My wife works here, my kids go to school here, their grandparents are here, babysitters I trust are here, the home i own is here, and numerous other things. My support system may be different than yours or anyones, but that doesn't mean being close to a support system is invalid.

I am not taking things personal nor making it personal, but you are using broad statements when you say "everyone should be concerned with this." I am using me as a simple example because that is what I know. Another example. I was accepted to KCUMB and DMU before i withdrew everything and I felt truly happy at DMU and i felt that i just couldn't go to KCUMB. I didn't like the school. It wasn't for me. Many people feel the same about other schools. It is important that you enjoy where you are going. Like I said, KCUMB wouldn't be as conducive to my own education. Bank residencies become a non-issue at this point. Not taking personal, but a person should consider it.

And a point that you didn't address is the fact that the residency crunch won't be that big of an issue to 2016 students. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I am just failing to see how OPTI choices should be the number one choice, and you rattle off doom and gloom that could make someone choose a school that goes against what they truly want, and I am failing to see why that would be a good idea.

Again, not personal, just trying to clear up why you stand behind the OPTI stuff so much.
Click to expand...


Please educate me. Why are you claiming that "the residency crunch won't be that big of an issue to 2016 students"?

BTW $400k isn't much either for Opthalmologists, Neurosurgeons, Anesthesiologists, Ortho surgeons, Radiologists, etc.
 
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This may be a stupid comment/question... but I feel like I'm missing something. OPTI's refer only to osteopathic residencies, correct? So none of this talk has anything to do with a DO student matching into an MD residency.

I'm starting to second-guess myself here... 🙄
 
Iliketoytles said:
This may be a stupid comment/question... but I feel like I'm missing something. OPTI's refer only to osteopathic residencies, correct? So none of this talk has anything to do with a DO student matching into an MD residency.

I'm starting to second-guess myself here... 🙄
Click to expand...
Yes...OPTI-->Osteopathic Post-doctoral Training Institute

"So none of this talk has anything to do with a DO student matching into an MD residency."
Yes
 
FutureDoctorrrr said:
Please educate me. Why are you claiming that "the residency crunch won't be that big of an issue to 2016 students"?
Click to expand...

why are you claiming that there will be. If you claim something, it is on you to defend it.

But as I said, I would guess (based on economics and business models) more students competing for less residencies would mean better students qualified, and why would a residency turn down a better candidate just to take one from the school? Based on models we have, why would you think that the OPTIs would prefer their students more? And planning on a school based on bank residencies seems naive as the majority of every class at every school won't "qualify" for these residencies. Moreover, back to common sense, why would a NSU OPTI choose a top 25% student from NSU over a top 5% student from DMU into their ortho slot? Or any other school in other residency with any other specialty?

I also claimed that the crunch will be felt the most on IMGs. There is no source I have, just reading over and over and over again on these forums. more DO students will be forced to go MD as there will be less DO slots, and programs would most likely prefer US DO over a caribbean MD. No source of this, but common sense asks, "why would a US school be less preferred than a non US one?

We have a bunch of unfilled slots. Don't know how many, but there are only a handful of schools out of the ~170 that will have a class in 2016 that will not have a class in 2012 or had one in 2011. And residency slots aren't increasing as fast as med schools planned, but they are increasing. So with the increase, and the unfilled slots, and the number of IMGs filling slots, again, why would it be that harsh? So if the schools in the next 10 years open up, and the residencies slightly increase, anything that opens up from now will not have any affect on residency slots for the class of 2016.

And as toytles said, DOs going to MD residencies isn't accounted for. More will go this route during this "crunch" leaving the same proportion (more or less) of DO candidates to slots.

This is what I think.
 
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Can you provide me definitive evidence that it is easier for a student to get into an OPTI if their school is the one that sponsors it? I mean, from what I'm seeing pretty much all DO schools have pretty similar match lists.

So yes, I'm waiting for you to provide evidence of this being a really big deal... Can you maybe also provide me a few program lists of MSU's OPTI with resident information, which will tell me their medical school? It'll help make your claim actually tangible and factual.

So let me also ask about that 400k debt, have you included undergraduate educational debt? + interest + start up money for your doctor's office + a home in a decent district + amount of money to support your family and keep them happy? Oh and this is all with an astronomical interest amount. So umm, you'll be making lets see... 250k tops after tax with an Ortho residency? Implying that you score high enough on the Comlex or USMLE that someone from another program doesn't completely out shine you right? But you're smart, what do you need me telling you about all of this? I'm sure you've got this all planned out....

Anyways, I really find short sighted people funny. If you don't know how to think ahead then you don't deserve to be able to spend your money ( As you'll lose it all screwing over people around you). It's one of the reasons the financial crisis occurred, people were conned and didn't think ahead enough and ended up creating a problem for the entire middle class.
 
FrkyBgStok said:
why are you claiming that there will be. If you claim something, it is on you to defend it.

But as I said, I would guess (based on economics and business models) more students competing for less residencies would mean better students qualified, and why would a residency turn down a better candidate just to take one from the school? Based on models we have, why would you think that the OPTIs would prefer their students more? And planning on a school based on bank residencies seems naive as the majority of every class at every school won't "qualify" for these residencies. Moreover, back to common sense, why would a NSU OPTI choose a top 25% student from NSU over a top 5% student from DMU into their ortho slot? Or any other school in other residency with any other specialty?

I also claimed that the crunch will be felt the most on IMGs. There is no source I have, just reading over and over and over again on these forums. more DO students will be forced to go MD as there will be less DO slots, and programs would most likely prefer US DO over a caribbean MD. No source of this, but common sense asks, "why would a US school be less preferred than a non US one?

We have a bunch of unfilled slots. Don't know how many, but there are only a handful of schools out of the ~170 that will have a class in 2016 that will not have a class in 2012 or had one in 2011. And residency slots aren't increasing as fast as med schools planned, but they are increasing. So with the increase, and the unfilled slots, and the number of IMGs filling slots, again, why would it be that harsh? So if the schools in the next 10 years open up, and the residencies slightly increase, anything that opens up from now will not have any affect on residency slots for the class of 2016.

And as toytles said, DOs going to MD residencies isn't accounted for. More will go this route during this "crunch" leaving the same proportion (more or less) of DO candidates to slots.

This is what I think.
Click to expand...

I have highlighted the parts which I agree with.
 
FrkyBgStok,

I think we all will defend our own schools to some extent. However, if we evaluated the schools as objectively as possible, then overall MSU>DMU nationally. In your specific case, DMU>MSU, but you have reasons that aren't specific to the actual school itself, but rather your family's location, etc...
 
poopyhead said:
FrkyBgStok,

I think we all will defend our own schools to some extent. However, if we evaluated the schools as objectively as possible, then overall MSU>DMU nationally. In your specific case, DMU>MSU, but you have reasons that aren't specific to the actual school itself, but rather your family's location, etc...
Click to expand...

Honestly though, you're only defense that MSU>DMU is that it has more OPTIs... and from your [future doctorrrr] above posts it seems clear that you think this is all that matters. If you have a family (a wife and kids), a home, and established connections where you live... going to a school that is probably only a 40 minute commute is a HUGE deal. He has his family to think about here, as do many future medstudents.

Now if you're talking in general about MSU>DMU based on the school itself, I disagree as well... not because I'm getting defensive of DMU, but on-campus opportunities, faculty, and environment are important to having a meaningful education. I'm all for pushing through nonsense for a couple years if it gives me better opportunities at the end, but this is medical school... and it seems ridiculous to take this chance when you're good opportunities are based on your grades and rotations.

I had acceptances to both KCUMB and DMU, was aware of their match lists and residency programs... and still chose DMU, because I know that I have my best chance at getting high scores on training, and being well prepped for rotations. Again... not trying to defend DMU here... this "comfort" idea applies to every school.

So is MSU>DMU and all the other schools with less OPTI's? Sure, why not. But there are other factors involved that MATTER. Just my opinion... don't take it "personally". :laugh: 😉

---EDIT: Just so people don't get the wrong idea, I'm using specific schools just as examples. Not getting defensive here, I promise.
 
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Iliketoytles said:
Honestly though, you're only defense that MSU>DMU is that it has more OPTIs... and from your [future doctorrrr] above posts it seems clear that you think this is all that matters. If you have a family (a wife and kids), a home, and established connections where you live... going to a school that is probably only a 40 minute commute is a HUGE deal. He has his family to think about here, as do many future medstudents

Now if you're talking in general about MSU>DMU based on the school itself, I disagree as well... not because I'm getting defensive of DMU, but on-campus opportunities, faculty, and environment are important to having a meaningful education. I'm all for pushing through nonsense for a couple years if it gives me better opportunities at the end, but this is medical school... and it seems ridiculous to take this chance when you're good opportunities are based on your grades and rotations.

I had acceptances to both KCUMB and DMU, was aware of their match lists and residency programs... and still chose DMU, because I know that I have my best chance at getting high scores on training, and being well prepped for rotations. Again... not trying to defend DMU here... this "comfort" idea applies to every school.

So is MSU>DMU and all the other schools with less OPTI's?Sure, why not. But there are other factors involved that MATTER. Just my opinion... don't take it "personally". :laugh: 😉
Click to expand...

I am alone in the United States. Have been for the past 5 years. So, I guess that is why it's hard for me to understand this factor. But I guess I can see why it would be a huge factor for someone who has a family..kids...wife...yeah...I think it would be a huge thing for that person.
 
poopyhead said:
FrkyBgStok,

I think we all will defend our own schools to some extent. However, if we evaluated the schools as objectively as possible, then overall MSU>DMU nationally. In your specific case, DMU>MSU, but you have reasons that aren't specific to the actual school itself, but rather your family's location, etc...
Click to expand...

I agree with toytles, but in addition, I am not saying DMU>MSU, I am saying DMU>MSU for me. And NSU>DMU or KYCOM>DMU for someone else. And the reason DMU is better for me is because it is 8 miles from my home. KYCOM may be better for the same reason, or any other reason in the world. What I am saying is MSU (in it's entirety) is not greater than DMU (in it's entirety) simply because of OPTIs. Not the same as DMU>MSU. And the point with this is everyone has a reason for choosing a school. But choosing a school based on OPTIs alone can leave you at a school you dislike or is overall less accepted nationally.

Again, I am using DMU as an example because I have the most experience with DMU. that is it. not saying DMU is the greatest school in the world. Everyone has their own reason for choosing a school that they should listen to.
 
FutureDoctorrrr said:
I am alone in the United States. Have been for the past 5 years. So, I guess that is why it's hard for me to understand this factor. But I guess I can see why it would be a huge factor for someone who has a family..kids...wife...yeah...I think it would be a huge thing for that person.
Click to expand...

Haha... no worries. I don't have a wife or kids (or girlfriend... 🙄) either. It's one of the downfalls of me being a complete nut. :laugh:

Hopefully it works to my advantage in medschool though! More time to study (or sleep). 😉
 
FrkyBgStok said:
. But choosing a school based on OPTIs alone can leave you at a school you dislike or is overall less accepted nationally.
.
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Why would a school that has a huge OPTI be lesser nationally accepted?

Greater OPTIs-->more hospital affiliations-->greater national recognition, right?
 
It's not just the GMEs. MSU has a better national reputation. It's ranked #14 in primary care. It also has an MD school. Its home institution is able to provide more resources. It has significantly more research funding, helping boost its academic research reputation. People always mention this nebulous "opportunity to do research," but MSU is one of only a handful of DO schools with a DO/PhD biomedical science program. For IS students, tuition is much cheaper. There's also # of full-time faculty, rotation sites (academic teaching hospitals), etc

edit: You do have to wonder why a school as old as DMU is, doesn't have significantly more GME. PCOM, which was established the same year as DMU, has way more GME than DMU.
 
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It is interesting to note that...at this point the thread should be re-titled as

DMU vs MSU
 
FutureDoctorrrr said:
Why would a school that has a huge OPTI be lesser nationally accepted?

Greater OPTIs-->more hospital affiliations-->greater national recognition, right?
Click to expand...

which makes sense.

Let's do this different. Screw DMU and MSU. The only reason I chose MSU is because of the $340,000 OOS tuition cost. And the only reason I chose DMU is because of my acceptance.

And I can understand that more OPTIs means great national recognition, however if KCOM has 5 OPTIs and RVU has 15 (which they don't), KCOM would be more accepted nationally because of it's age. DMU vs MSU is bad because they are so close, so looking at bigger extremes.

But neglecting this stuff it doesn't really matter. All I am saying is OPTIs are important, and if the feeling for two schools is the same, OPTIs are a good way to help break a tie. But if someone feels closer to one school, MY OPINION is that they should go to where they would be happy. This will allow them to spend time studying instead of moping about how unhappy they are.
 
FrkyBgStok said:
which makes sense.

Let's do this different. Screw DMU and MSU. The only reason I chose MSU is because of the $340,000 OOS tuition cost. And the only reason I chose DMU is because of my acceptance.

And I can understand that more OPTIs means great national recognition, however if KCOM has 5 OPTIs and RVU has 15 (which they don't), KCOM would be more accepted nationally because of it's age. DMU vs MSU is bad because they are so close, so looking at bigger extremes.

But neglecting this stuff it doesn't really matter. All I am saying is OPTIs are important, and if the feeling for two schools is the same, OPTIs are a good way to help break a tie. But if someone feels closer to one school, MY OPINION is that they should go to where they would be happy. This will allow them to spend time studying instead of moping about how unhappy they are.
Click to expand...


Every DO school can only have 1 OPTI.
Within that OPTI, there can be multiple residency programs (6, in the case of DMU or roughly 100 in the case of MSU or OU)
 
FrkyBgStok said:
I don't have have a forehead stamp. That's dorky. But I did just finish my "DMU is #1" tattoo.

Wow this post is giving me deja vu for some reason.
Click to expand...

I think after I got my acceptance email from DMU a while back, I was all like "I can't wait to meet you all!" in the DMU thread and you were like "I'll be the one with DMU stamped on my forehead". I actually "lol"-ed... and I always remember my "lol"s.




lol.
 
Iliketoytles said:
I think after I got my acceptance email from DMU a while back, I was all like "I can't wait to meet you all!" in the DMU thread and you were like "I'll be the one with DMU stamped on my forehead". I actually "lol"-ed... and I always remeber my "lol"s.




lol.
Click to expand...

haha. you are probably right.

hey to everyone posting in this thread with acceptances, congrats.
 
FutureDoctorrrr said:
Here is my opinion which is limited to my knowledge:

Both schools will give you a very similar education...very similar knowledge...very similar professors...very similar board prep....

Their OPTI's are what will differ IMMENSELY
Therefore the opportunities available to you at each school differ.

KCUMB OPTI has the following programs:

 Internal Medicine (2 separate programs),
Dermatology
Pediatrics
Emergency Medicine (2 separate programs)
ENT (Otolaryngology/Oro-Facial Plastic Surgery)

NSU OPTI is very very well-developed...
It houses the following programs

Dermatology (3 separate programs)
Internal Medicine (6 separate programs; it also houses some Endocrinology/Cardiology/GI/Interventional Cardio/Geriatrics fellowships)
Orthopedic Surgery (2 separate programs)
Pediatrics (3 separate programs)
General Surgery
Anesthesiology (2 separate programs)
Psychiatry (2 separate programs)
Emergency Medicine (2 separate programs)
Opthalmology
Neurology
Diagnostic Radiology
Family Practice (I know no one cares how many....but there are 7 programs...lol)
If it's of any difference to you...NSU has 1 Family Med program that is partnered with Duke University...Yes...DUKE!! 🙂


NSU OPTI>>>>>KCUMB OPTI

Thus, I would go to NSU without thinking twice

But that is just me....if you love anxiety, pressure & uncertainty, then by all means...go to the school which has a weak OPTI

FYI ([anxiety+ uncertainty]/2) is the state of those medical students who don't match anywhere....because a residency-less DO is un-employable....and not matching immediately after medical school is called "career suicide"....
Click to expand...

your forgot KCUMB's ortho program... add it to the list... and i'd prefer to go by match lists than all this OPTI stuff... just my two cents.
 
and that wasn't a stab at any school, just how I personally came to a decision.... Your board score will ultimately tell you where you are going.

If you get a 500 on step 1 you won't match into your schools ortho program just because they have one...
 
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I just have to say this:

What the f~ck is an OPTI and how does it apply to me? If it's only for AOA residencies, I dont give 2 ****s. ACGME RESIDENCY ONRY BABY!
 
DrWily said:
I just have to say this:

What the f~ck is an OPTI and how does it apply to me? If it's only for AOA residencies, I dont give 2 ****s. ACGME RESIDENCY ONRY BABY!
Click to expand...

haha well said!
 
DrWily said:
I just have to say this:

What the f~ck is an OPTI and how does it apply to me? If it's only for AOA residencies, I dont give 2 ****s. ACGME RESIDENCY ONRY BABY!
Click to expand...

A wise man once said... "go big or go home[ee]". 😉

I'm probably going to go the ACGME route as well. I'm already planning on taking the USMLE either way. We shall see.
 
DrWily said:
I just have to say this:

What the f~ck is an OPTI and how does it apply to me? If it's only for AOA residencies, I dont give 2 ****s. ACGME RESIDENCY ONRY BABY!
Click to expand...

Love!
 
MSU is so cool that it hijacks threads without trying
 
I think it's funny that OPTI's have been brought up on several recent threads, but before that, few or not that I can remember. Certainly seems to be the way-to-judge-a-DO-school de jure.
 
NurWollen said:
I think it's funny that OPTI's have been brought up on several recent threads, but before that, few or not that I can remember. Certainly seems to be the way-to-judge-a-DO-school de jure.
Click to expand...

"mmmm that sounds good... I'll have that."
 
NurWollen said:
I think it's funny that OPTI's have been brought up on several recent threads, but before that, few or not that I can remember. Certainly seems to be the way-to-judge-a-DO-school de jure.
Click to expand...


It's the way to judge how much a DO school or an MD school cares about its students....
Several medical schools (many DO and some MD) are not interested in caring for their graduates (and the medical profession, in general) by providing GME/OGME. Know which schools those are. Don't be afraid to point fingers.
Immediately, Rosaland Franklin comes to mind from the MD world but there are others. While many DO schools immediately come to mind...I will not mention them because I don't want to start a war here.

Instead of complaining in seperate threads whenever a "Jimmy Harry College of Osteopathic Medicine" gets approved by COCA. I think it is our responsibility to educate prospective medical students (specially when they ask about the pros and cons of a school) about the "school's priorities". Is it there "just" to take your money, grade you & give you a piece of paper which has the words DO or MD written on it? And after that it doesn't care what happens to you? Or is it playing it's end of the deal by providing GME/OGME opportunities?

There is a reason why I have very deep rooted respect for OU-HCOM, NYCOM, MSU, PCOM & Nova. They prove that they "care" for their students....they don't want to see you anxious & frustrated b/c you weren't given interviews for EM, Anesthesiology, Ortho, etc...they prove this by adding more residency slots & programs in non-primary care specialties (where we fight an uphill battle in the ACGME match).

Please give these considerations the emphasis they deserve. Please realize that if I am mature/humble/realistic enough to give much more credit to other schools on issues where they have made exponential progress compared to my school....you should have this maturity as well.
 
FutureDoctorrrr said:
It's the way to judge how much a DO school or an MD school cares about its students....
Several medical schools (many DO and some MD) are not interested in caring for their graduates (and the medical profession, in general) by providing GME/OGME. Know which schools those are. Don't be afraid to point fingers.
Immediately, Rosaland Franklin comes to mind from the MD world but there are others. While many DO schools immediately come to mind...I will not mention them because I don't want to start a war here.

Instead of complaining in seperate threads whenever a "Jimmy Harry College of Osteopathic Medicine" gets approved by COCA. I think it is our responsibility to educate prospective medical students (specially when they ask about the pros and cons of a school) about the "school's priorities". Is it there "just" to take your money, grade you & give you a piece of paper which has the words DO or MD written on it? And after that it doesn't care what happens to you? Or is it playing it's end of the deal by providing GME/OGME opportunities?

There is a reason why I have very deep rooted respect for OU-HCOM, NYCOM, MSU, PCOM & Nova. They prove that they "care" for their students....they don't want to see you anxious & frustrated b/c you weren't given interviews for EM, Anesthesiology, Ortho, etc...they prove this by adding more residency slots & programs in non-primary care specialties (where we fight an uphill battle in the ACGME match).

Please give these considerations the emphasis they deserve. Please realize that if I am mature/humble/realistic enough to give much more credit to other schools on issues where they have made exponential progress compared to my school....you should have this maturity as well.
Click to expand...

I agree with you 100% man. This is why OU 😉 and MSU are in my mind at a tier all by themselves with the others you mentioned coming close.

With MD schools expanding their class sizes, and ACGME/AOA spots possible shrinking, I think it is prudent and smart that future DO students (2016 and beyond) start holding their schools OPTI accountable for creating slots. Hopefully the new proposal brought up to the AOA will continue the conversation.
 
DrWily said:
I just have to say this:

What the f~ck is an OPTI and how does it apply to me? If it's only for AOA residencies, I dont give 2 ****s. ACGME RESIDENCY ONRY BABY!
Click to expand...

👍

Stated like a m-f boss! I feel bad for the OP, they came here for a little insight into people's views on the two schools and then boom! An OPTI c*ck measuring match broke out. NOOOO ONE CARES BRAAAAAHHHHH
 
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