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Nova vs. LECOM-Brad
- Thread starter Hatman
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Nova wins in the reisdency placement category, since Bradenton only opened 3 years ago. Is that what you meant by asking about residencies? Or did you mean programs at hospitals affiliated with the school?
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Besides the LECOM-Br campus only being around for 3 years so far, I would say that, in my opinion, probably the biggest difference that should impact your decision would be the curriculum difference. LECOM here is strictly PBL, while NOVA is, as far as I know, still lecture based for the most part.
If you're considering LECOM then do some research on PBL and decide if it's something that you work for you or not. Besides that you'll be getting a great education at both. NOVA has been around longer, but LECOM is continuing to build up relationships with health providers in the Bradenton, Sarasota, St. Pete, and Tampa areas, so there is a nice mixture of hospitals/clinics to rotate at as well.
I personally also have friends and family on this side of Florida so that was an important factor for me.
If you're considering LECOM then do some research on PBL and decide if it's something that you work for you or not. Besides that you'll be getting a great education at both. NOVA has been around longer, but LECOM is continuing to build up relationships with health providers in the Bradenton, Sarasota, St. Pete, and Tampa areas, so there is a nice mixture of hospitals/clinics to rotate at as well.
I personally also have friends and family on this side of Florida so that was an important factor for me.
This might be a minor thing but LECOM is one building, as far as I know, and Nova has the entire university. It comes down to whether you want a university feel or really don't care. LECOM-B is our top choice (husband and I) first because of the PBL which we have read a lot about. My mom also lives north of Tampa so that's a plus. So if you have family/friends in either of those areas. like nlax said. then it might be more likely to sway your decision.
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All the med schools in FL are S.O.L.I.D. Nova def wins in the residency dept., but the rest is probably based on what you are looking for in a med school. I am VERY happy I am at Nova, but I would say that people at LECOM-BR prob say the same about their school.
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Both schools will give you a great education but they are worlds apart in so many ways. Each of them has a totally different "feel to them that you can't really understand until you have seen both. Word of caution-- don't go the Bradenton if you are not totally self motivated or tend to procrastinate in any way. You will be doing a lot of work on your own... but you'll be well prepared for the boards and clinical years. Lectures vs PBL was a "no-brainer" for me because I can't stand to sit in class for hours, but that's not the way for everyone.
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I'm an M1 at NSU, who got accepted at both schools. I'm biased, but as far as I'm concerned,
Residencies - Advantage NSU
Life-Style - Please clarify. Are you referring to location? If so, advantage NSU. You'll be a stone's throw away from Ft. Lauderdale, whereas LECOM B is located near farmland.
Price - LECOM has the edge. In fact, the only DO school cheaper than LECOM is TCOM.
Education - I am no fan of PBL, and I think it's risky for someone who's never been through it before. To me, entering such a program is tantamount to playing russian roulette with one's medical education. You could do quite well, or you could crash and burn. This was the second most important factor in me choosing LECOM over NSU - the first being clinical rotations, where I believe NSU has the edge. NSU may also be building its own teaching hospital soon.
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Nobody has been through PBL before because undergrad isn't taught that way. The Bradenton class of 2009 had a better than 97% pass rate on part one of COMLEX. If that's playing russian roulette with your education, then go ahead and put a bullet in the gun for me now. Plus, there is no better way to prepare for your clinical years than PBL, IMO.
As for to the lifestyle part. Bradenton is located between Sarasota and Tampa. You have an incredible amount of arts and sports (both amateur and professional) very close by. Lakewood Ranch, where the school is really located, is growing incredibly fast.
That said, if you are not self-motivated then you need to go elsewhere. You cannot succeed without spending several hours a day reading on your own. Both schools can give you a great education but it is up to you to make the best of it.
You need to see both of them for yourself before you make a decision.
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NSU has more facilities..more graduating classes.. more students per class...and is in the more "hip" part of FL...NSU also costs more...higher cost of living...etc. dono anything about lecom's clinical ed..so im not going to comment...But for the most part..both are good schools..apply to both and do a search on SDN...
