Nova vs KCUMB vs LECOM-Erie

[Patel1268]

Hey everyone.

I've been accepted to a three schools so far, Nova KCUMB & LECOM-Erie.
I have compiled a list of why each is good or bad for me. They pretty much offset each other, which is why it is hard to believe I have to make a decision by next week before I leave the country. Here is what I've come up with. Any extra additions or suggestion would be awesome! Thanks.

Nova Southeastern

Tuition: ~34000 (Negative)
location: far from ohio/family (Negative)
Cost of living: 1000-1200 / month (Negative)
clinical location: 3rd and 4th are pretty much in the South? (Negative)

weather: fantastic (Positive)
Area: Ft. Lauderdale - good weather (Positive)
clinical opportunity: Lots of options (Positive)
Residency Match list: Pretty good (Postive)

KCUMB

Tuition: ~38000 (Negative)

Area: Downtown not very safe (Average)
Cost of living: 600-800 / month (Average)
weather: hot summers, cold winters (Average)
location: 10 hr drive from ohio/family (Average)

clinical location: good, almost anywhere in US (Positive)
clinical opportunity: Lots of option (Positive)
Residency Match list: The best of the 3 (Postive)

LECOM - Erie

weather: cold winters with a ton of snow (Negative)

Area: By the lake, but not much to do (Average)
Residency Match list: (Average)

Tuition: ~25000 including scholarship (Positive)
Cost of living: 500-600 / month (Positive)
location: 4 hr drive from ohio/family (Positive)
clinical location: good, throughout midwest (Positive)
clinical opportunity: Lots of option (Positive)

If any of the facts above seem to be a little off, let me know so I can take that into consideration. Also let me know what you feel is more important to consider than something else. For example: Tuition over Location, etc.

Thanks in advance!

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[bullishMD]

I have not been to any of the schools but just by what i have heard i would go to KCUMB even though ft lauderdale would be sweet!

 

[ThisIsYourLife]

well from what i can see on your rankings, it looks like LECOM - Erie is where you should go.. you have the most positives, least negatives.. but then again, maybe dont go there cause i want to jk

 

[ohiowbdoc]

Hey everyone.

I've been accepted to a three schools so far, Nova KCUMB & LECOM-Erie.
I have compiled a list of why each is good or bad for me. They pretty much offset each other, which is why it is hard to believe I have to make a decision by next week before I leave the country. Here is what I've come up with. Any extra additions or suggestion would be awesome! Thanks.

Nova Southeastern

Tuition: ~34000 (Negative)
location: far from ohio/family (Negative)
Cost of living: 1000-1200 / month (Negative)
clinical location: 3rd and 4th are pretty much in the South? (Negative)

weather: fantastic (Positive)
Area: Ft. Lauderdale - good weather (Positive)
clinical opportunity: Lots of options (Positive)
Residency Match list: Pretty good (Postive)

KCUMB

Tuition: ~38000 (Negative)

Area: Downtown not very safe (Average)
Cost of living: 600-800 / month (Average)
weather: hot summers, cold winters (Average)
location: 10 hr drive from ohio/family (Average)

clinical location: good, almost anywhere in US (Positive)
clinical opportunity: Lots of option (Positive)
Residency Match list: The best of the 3 (Postive)

LECOM - Erie

weather: cold winters with a ton of snow (Negative)

Area: By the lake, but not much to do (Average)
Residency Match list: (Average)

Tuition: ~25000 including scholarship (Positive)
Cost of living: 500-600 / month (Positive)
location: 4 hr drive from ohio/family (Positive)
clinical location: good, throughout midwest (Positive)
clinical opportunity: Lots of option (Positive)

If any of the facts above seem to be a little off, let me know so I can take that into consideration. Also let me know what you feel is more important to consider than something else. For example: Tuition over Location, etc.

Thanks in advance!

Even though the old "your opinion is the only one that matters and ultimately it's your decision" line gets thrown around a lot, we all know that's bs, otherwise SDN wouldn't exist. So here's mine...

I'm not gonna bash any other institution because it's just not worth the response from people who disagree, so let's just say I really liked the professionalism and overall feel of LECOM. Tuition was good, liked the PBL program, and the few students that I talked to were happy with their education.
More importantly, my mentor here at the hospital, a DO and director, has been encouraging me to go to LECOM since I told him I wanted to go to med school (for more on this and other LECOM-related topics, check out my other posts on other threads).
I interviewed at Nova, WVSOM and LECOM-E, and LECOM-E stood out for me.

That's why I sent in my deposit to LECOM this week

Based on your breakdown, it looks like the only differences you have between LECOM and Nova are the weather (plus Nova) and tuition (plus LECOM). Looks to me like for those two, you just have to decide between ability to see palm trees more often during med school, or ability to see palm trees more often in your 10 years after med school (since you'll be able to afford more glamorous vacations from less debt).

I haven't been to KCUMB, so I won't comment on that one.

The individual threads for each school have been a great source of info as well, both in the Pre-DO and DO forums.

Good luck in your decision!

 

[112258]

I just wanted to chime in about your Erie location comment about not being much to do. For some reason on SDN Erie is made out to be a ghost town. When I came here that was what I was expecting based on what I read here. However I think Erie has a lot to do, and I'm coming from Baltimore.

-Lake Erie/Presque Isle is awesome
-close to Canada/Niagara Falls
-casino
-nice mall
-nice movie theatre
-tons of restaurants
-lots of bars
-orchestra/plays/otters (I haven't been to any of these but they exist)

 

[Terpskins99]

imo, quality of education counts first and foremost.
Cost of living/tuition would be a distant second.
Everything else would be much further down my priority list.

My line of thinking is... you're not going to have much free time in medical school (I pretty much spend mine either surfing SDN or sleeping). So yeah, while LECOM may seem like its in the middle of nowhere... its not like you won't have things to do. And if its cheaper (good grief, $20,000 vs $38,000 x 4 years?!), then just save your money (hah.. and spend the difference on a last minute pleasure cruise... and a BMW... I can almost guarantee that'll make you feel better about being at LECOM).

 

[MikeyLu2010]

Even though the old "your opinion is the only one that matters and ultimately it's your decision" line gets thrown around a lot, we all know that's bs, otherwise SDN wouldn't exist. So here's mine...

I'm not gonna bash any other institution because it's just not worth the response from people who disagree, so let's just say I really liked the professionalism and overall feel of LECOM. Tuition was good, liked the PBL program, and the few students that I talked to were happy with their education.
More importantly, my mentor here at the hospital, a DO and director, has been encouraging me to go to LECOM since I told him I wanted to go to med school (for more on this and other LECOM-related topics, check out my other posts on other threads).
I interviewed at Nova, WVSOM and LECOM-E, and LECOM-E stood out for me.

That's why I sent in my deposit to LECOM this week

Based on your breakdown, it looks like the only differences you have between LECOM and Nova are the weather (plus Nova) and tuition (plus LECOM). Looks to me like for those two, you just have to decide between ability to see palm trees more often during med school, or ability to see palm trees more often in your 10 years after med school (since you'll be able to afford more glamorous vacations from less debt).

I haven't been to KCUMB, so I won't comment on that one.

The individual threads for each school have been a great source of info as well, both in the Pre-DO and DO forums.

Good luck in your decision!

umm..yea and you arent even in med school ..so ur actually in the same shoes as the OP.. ie. you have no clue on what you're talking about.

to the OP..if i were you, i would prolly chose KCUMB..its closer to home..and its one of the older/more established DO schools.

 

[zch76]

Can anyone from NOVA comment on the clinical rotations at NOVA. Are they typically at large well known hospitals in the area or are you not impressed with their clinical rotation sites. I'm not from Florida and have no idea how the hospitals in the area are.
Thanks

 

[jzeidenb]

i got into both nova and kcumb.. i sent my deposit into kcumb.. i thought the school was worlds better in curriculum, rotation sites, and facilities. Yes im sad i wont get to live in fl weather or 10 minutes from family, but the school was just that much better. for me

 

[Patel1268]

Since last posting on this thread, I have been thinking a lot and some of the above posters were right about location not mattering too much. I've lived in ohio mostly my whole life and the weather swings here are horrible. Probably pretty much the same in Erie. But, I've ruled out Nova pretty much 100% because weather shouldnt matter as much as other aspects. Only reason it is still in the back of my mind is because of it's facilities.

So between Erie and KCUMB, KCUMB seems to be a better fit for me as far as match lists and education looks. However Erie IS 38000-25000 = 13000 cheaper. This is where I am most confused. I need to pay a deposit by Weds. This suckkkkkkkkkks. Anymore input would be great. Thanks guys

 

[t-funk]

I got accepted into LECOM-Bradenton and KCUMB and have decided on KCUMB. LECOM's tuition is definitely hard to beat. My whole family is about 2-3 hours away from KCUMB and I want to spend a lot of time with my grandparents (who are aging) over the next few years as well as be able to visit other family members often, so that was a major factor in my decision. It seems like your family may be closer to LECOM. So, while knowing that money and family are a factor, if neither of these were in the picture I would pick KCUMB hands down. It's a really tough decision and I probably wasn't any help but good luck.

 

[Patel1268]

I got accepted into LECOM-Bradenton and KCUMB and have decided on KCUMB. LECOM's tuition is definitely hard to beat. My whole family is about 2-3 hours away from KCUMB and I want to spend a lot of time with my grandparents (who are aging) over the next few years as well as be able to visit other family members often, so that was a major factor in my decision. It seems like your family may be closer to LECOM. So, while knowing that money and family are a factor, if neither of these were in the picture I would pick KCUMB hands down. It's a really tough decision and I probably wasn't any help but good luck.

Well, Erie is closer to Ohio which is a plus, but whether I am a 12hr drive or 4 hr drive away from my family is not a "huge" factor although it does play in a little but. But the distance from family will not be the factor of swaying my decision on way or the other. The decision comes on tuition+cost of living and whether or not it is worth paying 13000 extra to get what I THINK is a better education at KCUMB.

 

[ohiowbdoc]

If you believe you're going to get a better education at KCUMB, I would say look past the money. The fact is, you're going to be a doctor, and if you work hard the money will be there.
Obviously it's just my opinion and I'm sure money plays a lot larger role in other people's decisions, but I try not to let money be high on the list compared to quality of education/overall feel/individual goals/opportunity/etc.

 

[Patel1268]

Just curious about what others opinions are on the education at both schools. Which one seems to better prepare one for boards, clinicals, and residencies. Of course if you haven't been to an interview at either school, please let me know why you concluded one school has better education than another based on research or from what you've heard. Thanks.

 

[BCLumas]

Patel.. are you talking about between LECOM-Bradenton and KCUMB? I cannot comment on KCUMB because I've never interviewed/researched that school, but I can comment on LECOM-B.

LECOM uses PBL to teach its students. Their curriculum is a 10-week course of Anatomy in the beginning and then PBL to discuss HOW to approach a particular case and WHAT you would do in each case. Not only that, but you discuss, in small groups of 8 or so, WHY you think each case is what you think it is. It is hard for me to explain, but I will say that I was fortunate enough to sit in on a full 2-hour session of PBL during my interview at LECOM-B. It was simply amazing. The weather, cost, location, people, etc.. that was all extra for me. I really fell in love with the PBL system and how enthusiastic the students are about the system. Also, when observing them (they were only just starting their 2nd semester at the time), they seemed to know a lot. And by "a lot," I mean a ridiculous amount. They were reciting page numbers for information in different books that they used the previous semester. It was like watching a room full of doctors diagnose a patient. Simply amazing.

If anyone from LECOM-B wants to correct me, please feel free to do so. I am just eager to get to the grocery store so I can get a money order and send my deposit into the school. July 28th can't come soon enough.


/rant

<3

 

[Patel1268]

Patel.. are you talking about between LECOM-Bradenton and KCUMB? I cannot comment on KCUMB because I've never interviewed/researched that school, but I can comment on LECOM-B.

LECOM uses PBL to teach its students. Their curriculum is a 10-week course of Anatomy in the beginning and then PBL to discuss HOW to approach a particular case and WHAT you would do in each case. Not only that, but you discuss, in small groups of 8 or so, WHY you think each case is what you think it is. It is hard for me to explain, but I will say that I was fortunate enough to sit in on a full 2-hour session of PBL during my interview at LECOM-B. It was simply amazing. The weather, cost, location, people, etc.. that was all extra for me. I really fell in love with the PBL system and how enthusiastic the students are about the system. Also, when observing them (they were only just starting their 2nd semester at the time), they seemed to know a lot. And by "a lot," I mean a ridiculous amount. They were reciting page numbers for information in different books that they used the previous semester. It was like watching a room full of doctors diagnose a patient. Simply amazing.

If anyone from LECOM-B wants to correct me, please feel free to do so. I am just eager to get to the grocery store so I can get a money order and send my deposit into the school. July 28th can't come soon enough.


/rant

<3

I was actually referring to LECOM Erie. Sorry about that. But I am glad you are excited and enthusiastic about next year. Even when I decide where I want to go, I am not sure I'll be as enthusiastic as you about starting. Maybe when spring rolls around I'll be as pumped as you are. Good luck

 

[BCLumas]

LOL.. I'm pathetic/10, I know... undergrad is now just a grind..

Sorry I couldn't have been more help, tho >.>a Good luck to you, too!

<3

 

[osli]

If you believe that going into primary care, especially family practice, pediatrics, and (not always a traditional "primary care" area) IM (without subspecialization), then I'd certainly think very hard about the extra tuition. When your salary is in the 100-150K range an extra 50K debt is anything but chump change.

If you are confident in your abilities and really believe you might be headed into most any other specialty (from ER to GAS to any IM subspecialty to any surgical specialty, rads, ENT, anything...), then that extra 50K really isn't such a big deal. When your salary is in the 200K-300K range you'll be able to handle whatever your eventual debt load with relative ease.

Not that it isn't wise to think about debt now (it is very wise), but if your sights are set on something remotely competitive (and better paying) then I think it is a good investment to go where you believe you will get the best education (and has the best match list).

 

[Patel1268]

If you believe that going into primary care, especially family practice, pediatrics, and (not always a traditional "primary care" area) IM (without subspecialization), then I'd certainly think very hard about the extra tuition. When your salary is in the 100-150K range an extra 50K debt is anything but chump change.

If you are confident in your abilities and really believe you might be headed into most any other specialty (from ER to GAS to any IM subspecialty to any surgical specialty, rads, ENT, anything...), then that extra 50K really isn't such a big deal. When your salary is in the 200K-300K range you'll be able to handle whatever your eventual debt load with relative ease.

Not that it isn't wise to think about debt now (it is very wise), but if your sights are set on something remotely competitive (and better paying) then I think it is a good investment to go where you believe you will get the best education (and has the best match list).

Thats a pretty good point. Thanks. 3 More days til my decision.