NOVA vs PCOM

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Just a bit of advice, if you want people to give you quality responses you need to give us more to go on. Why don't you show us what you have found researching the two schools and what things are important to you. Otherwise since you put no effort into this thread why should we?

Example- Look in the Osteopathic Student forum at the thread of KCUMB vs DMU. The OP displayed what she knew and asked for additional perspectives and got some great responses.
 
Last edited:
TeamZissou said:
Just a bit of advice, if you want people to give you quality responses you need to give us more to go on.
Click to expand...

Amen. What is this thread, anyhow?
PCOM's got a rugby team, for starters. Does that help?
:laugh::laugh:
 
Since you did not tell us more about what you mean, let me chime in my 2 cents. I got into PCOM but I only know that I was complete at NOVA last October. I guess they don't communicate well with applicants.:meanie:😎+pity+:whistle::annoyed:😏 (that's just how I fell about the situation)
 
iloveDrStill said:
I am biased towards PCOM so I'll let someone else respond 😀
Click to expand...

Well, I'm biased towards Nova, so I'll give the skinny for there.
As background, I got interviews at allopathic and osteopathic schools, as well as acceptances to both, but ended up choosing Nova.

My reasons at the time:

1. Nova has a large anatomy dissection area. I kept interviewing at schools that boasted how they used prosected cadavers (ones done by professional dissectors so everything looks perfect) or plasticated cadavers (again, pre-dissected cadavers, coated with a microlayer of plastic so they can be used again and again). Nova still does the old-fashioned student dissections. Sure, when you do it yourself it never ends up looking like it does in the textbooks, but I felt that the best way to learn was to wade in and do it myself.

2. Nova is a large university (they always boast they're something like the 6th or so largest graduate university in the country). In addition to the medschool they have dental, pharmacy, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physians assistants, law school, graduate psychology, business school, etc, etc. It's nice having all the resources of a large university contained on one campus. Once in a while this will be a downside because Nova doesn't have the autonomy to just make changes... depending on what you're trying to get done, it has to be approved at the university level. This is also why sometimes they're slow administratively. But overall, I thought the resources outweighed the slowness.

3. The MPH program is a plus. If at the end of your first semester your GPA is above 80-85%, you can take the MPH classes and get that extra degree free of charge. There are a few other free combined degrees in the pipeline.

4. I liked that Nova took the excess money that they have and put it back into improving the infrastructure of the main campus. It always distressed me to see other schools starting branch campuses rather than make the main campus better. Nova is going to be opening a large research facility attached to the medschool in the next few years.

5. Nova also uses the allopathic model for clinical years. Rather than set the 3rd year students free to the four winds to find rotations for themselves, Nova has arrangements at the large local hospitals. Prior to the start of your third year you find out which hospital will be your core hospital. All of your required clinical rotations will be at that facility. Electives (in the 4th year) can be done there or at any other hospital in the country (just like every other school). Broward General, the core hospital that more students go to than any other, is the level one trauma center mothership hospital for the Broward Health System, the 4th largest health system in the country.

6. It's in Fort Lauderdale. Sure, you may not have a whole lot of time to go and party on the beach... but you can once in a while. Or go study on the beach. Or just go sit outside. It's frakking gorgeous. But as long as your head is screwed on right, it won't be a distraction.

I was happy I went there. I got a good education, wasn't top of my class by a long shot but I can still show up residents who went to other schools with enough regularity to make attendings ask "Where did you go for medical school?" But I don't work with any PCOM alumni so I can't give a direct comparison 😛
 
Doctor Bob said:
Well, I'm biased towards Nova, so I'll give the skinny for there.
As background, I got interviews at allopathic and osteopathic schools, as well as acceptances to both, but ended up choosing Nova.

My reasons at the time:

1. Nova has a large anatomy dissection area. I kept interviewing at schools that boasted how they used prosected cadavers (ones done by professional dissectors so everything looks perfect) or plasticated cadavers (again, pre-dissected cadavers, coated with a microlayer of plastic so they can be used again and again). Nova still does the old-fashioned student dissections. Sure, when you do it yourself it never ends up looking like it does in the textbooks, but I felt that the best way to learn was to wade in and do it myself.

2. Nova is a large university (they always boast they're something like the 6th or so largest graduate university in the country). In addition to the medschool they have dental, pharmacy, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physians assistants, law school, graduate psychology, business school, etc, etc. It's nice having all the resources of a large university contained on one campus. Once in a while this will be a downside because Nova doesn't have the autonomy to just make changes... depending on what you're trying to get done, it has to be approved at the university level. This is also why sometimes they're slow administratively. But overall, I thought the resources outweighed the slowness.

3. The MPH program is a plus. If at the end of your first semester your GPA is above 80-85%, you can take the MPH classes and get that extra degree free of charge. There are a few other free combined degrees in the pipeline.

4. I liked that Nova took the excess money that they have and put it back into improving the infrastructure of the main campus. It always distressed me to see other schools starting branch campuses rather than make the main campus better. Nova is going to be opening a large research facility attached to the medschool in the next few years.

5. Nova also uses the allopathic model for clinical years. Rather than set the 3rd year students free to the four winds to find rotations for themselves, Nova has arrangements at the large local hospitals. Prior to the start of your third year you find out which hospital will be your core hospital. All of your required clinical rotations will be at that facility. Electives (in the 4th year) can be done there or at any other hospital in the country (just like every other school). Broward General, the core hospital that more students go to than any other, is the level one trauma center mothership hospital for the Broward Health System, the 4th largest health system in the country.

6. It's in Fort Lauderdale. Sure, you may not have a whole lot of time to go and party on the beach... but you can once in a while. Or go study on the beach. Or just go sit outside. It's frakking gorgeous. But as long as your head is screwed on right, it won't be a distraction.

I was happy I went there. I got a good education, wasn't top of my class by a long shot but I can still show up residents who went to other schools with enough regularity to make attendings ask "Where did you go for medical school?" But I don't work with any PCOM alumni so I can't give a direct comparison 😛
Click to expand...

In response to Doctor Bob's quotes:

1.) PCOM has a very large dissection lab. For 271 students this past year, there were 52 bodies, which breaks down to 5-6 students/cadaver. We do dissections the old fashion way as well, but also have plastinated specimens to study from in case you severe a nerve/muscle while performing the dissection.

2.) Although PCOM is not affiliated with a major university, it has a lot of other fields of study at the school. There are PA, DO, Master's in Biomedical Sciences, Forensic Science, and Psychology students all at the school. PCOM is also affliated with other Universities in Philly, so that you can do an MPH or a PhD if you are interested while in the DO program. PCOM also offers a 5th year fellowship for people interested in focusing on OMM. I beileve this year is free if you qualify (but don't quote me).

3.) PCOM has state of the art facilities. Although they have invested their money in a second school, the Philly campus has not lost out on resources. We already are very involved in research as well. PCOM is probably the top OSTEOPATHIC school in country that performs reseearch.

4.) PCOM does not make their students find rotation sites. 3rd and 4th year rotations are available at multiple venues, so you get to choose where you would like to rotate. Philly has always been known as the medical school mecca b/c their are 4 other medical schools (Temple, Jefferson, Drexel, UPenn) in the immediate area where PCOM students rotate and constantly match into. There are very few if any other cities where you will find these resources.

I had to make the same decision last year as NOVA and PCOM were my top two choices. In the end, PCOM was much more established (over a hundred years old) with tons of graduates across the US. In the end, I'm very happy with my decision and believe that PCOM was the right choice.
 
Doctor Bob said:
Nova still does the old-fashioned student dissections. Sure, when you do it yourself it never ends up looking like it does in the textbooks, but I felt that the best way to learn was to wade in and do it myself.
Click to expand...

Actually I have a friend who currently attends Nova and they have shifted towards prosected cadavers now.... I believe he is a 2nd year and his year was the last one to do it the old-fashioned way.
 
TeamZissou said:
Actually I have a friend who currently attends Nova and they have shifted towards prosected cadavers now.... I believe he is a 2nd year and his year was the last one to do it the old-fashioned way.
Click to expand...

You can still dissect if you want to, but you do not have to.

🙂
 
udsoccer7 said:
In response to Doctor Bob's quotes:





3.) PCOM has state of the art facilities. Although they have invested their money in a second school, the Philly campus has not lost out on resources. We already are very involved in research as well. PCOM is probably the top OSTEOPATHIC school in country that performs reseearch.
.
Click to expand...

yeh, there are a number of schools that recieve more NIH funding then PCOM particularly the state osteopathic schools and they do a bit more research. Research though is alive and well at PCOM and the oppurtunity to do research at the other medical schools in philly exist to allow you to build connections.

It really is hard for anyone to compare the two schools. More should be focused on where you think you would want to do your residency and settle down because PCOM probably has a greater name recognition over a larger area on the east coast.
 
JonnyG said:
It really is hard for anyone to compare the two schools. More should be focused on where you think you would want to do your residency and settle down because PCOM probably has a greater name recognition over a larger area on the east coast.
Click to expand...

Yea, by virtue of having been around a lot longer, PCOM has a more well known name. And when I tell people I went to Nova, they ask "Oh, what does NOVA stand for?" I have to explain that it's not an acronym. Finally I gave up and started telling people I went to NSU.

Interview at both and go to the place you get the best feeling from. If you interview at both and still can't decide, then flip a coin.
 
Brown8472 said:
Since you did not tell us more about what you mean, let me chime in my 2 cents. I got into PCOM but I only know that I was complete at NOVA last October. I guess they don't communicate well with applicants.:meanie:😎+pity+:whistle::annoyed:😏 (that's just how I fell about the situation)
Click to expand...

In the completely opposite side. PCOM was like that with me. I interviewed and was accepted by Nova and didn't hear anything from PCOM for a long long long time. I then called 4 times (I was told to call back) and got yelled at for asking about my status. I finally emailed them and got a phone call a week later saying they were pretty much done interviewing and that it was supposedly implied that I keep updating the school with information when I never even had true confirmation that everything was received from them.

Also, while south Florida doesn't have quite the concentration of research universities that Philly has, there are plenty of schools there to do research. In addition, they led us to believe during the interview that NSU recently began to pursue much more research. (I was told to talk to my interviewer when I came there about researching with her) There are plenty of teaching hospitals in the area that you can ask too. An education in south florida can be a very wise choice if you have interests in tropical medicine and diseases as well. As a radiologist working in Indiana, my dad had about 10 cases over the years that he said he only knew because of his fellowship and work experience in South Florida. I know that doesn't hold much water, but it is always something to think about. You'll be fine at either place.

Both have freakishly large classes.

Nova has a very nice gym, which oddly enough was what tipped it into my favor over some of the others. (I'm training for strongman in a few years)
 
Last edited:
The Philadelphia Sixers practice at PCOM right?
 
JonnyG said:
It really is hard for anyone to compare the two schools. More should be focused on where you think you would want to do your residency and settle down because PCOM probably has a greater name recognition over a larger area on the east coast.
Click to expand...

Doctor Bob said:
Interview at both and go to the place you get the best feeling from. If you interview at both and still can't decide, then flip a coin.
Click to expand...

That's ultimately what boiled it down to me. I interviewed and was accepted at both. Although I really enjoyed many aspects of Miami (ironically b/c even though I live < 1.5 hrs from Philly, we have % spanish closer to Miami...Philly and my town are night and day...!) and the rotations seemed top notch...and the weather VERY appealing, I just could see myself wanting to live in PA. By going to PA, I'd be rotating in the area where I would eventually want to live for most of my life...it only makes sense to get to know ppl and hospitals in the area (and vice versa) and network.

I always found that it was interesting though. Up in PA we tend to see two or three docs in our ED each year who come from/commute from FL (/east coast). I'm guessing that commuters tend to go north/south within the same time zone rather than criss-cross the country from CA/AZ/TX. Might as well follow the same path...chances are you will be able to be classified as "one of those guys" 👍

Best of luck in your decision...it's not easy...I've been there for a few months now (PCOM/AZCOM/NSUCOM)! 😕
 
nevinleiby said:
That's ultimately what boiled it down to me. I interviewed and was accepted at both. Although I really enjoyed many aspects of Miami (ironically b/c even though I live < 1.5 hrs from Philly, we have % spanish closer to Miami...Philly and my town are night and day...!) and the rotations seemed top notch...and the weather VERY appealing, I just could see myself wanting to live in PA. By going to PA, I'd be rotating in the area where I would eventually want to live for most of my life...it only makes sense to get to know ppl and hospitals in the area (and vice versa) and network.

I always found that it was interesting though. Up in PA we tend to see two or three docs in our ED each year who come from/commute from FL (/east coast). I'm guessing that commuters tend to go north/south within the same time zone rather than criss-cross the country from CA/AZ/TX. Might as well follow the same path...chances are you will be able to be classified as "one of those guys" 👍

Best of luck in your decision...it's not easy...I've been there for a few months now (PCOM/AZCOM/NSUCOM)! 😕
Click to expand...

Which way are you leaning, im trying to decide b/w nova and azcom
 
I will find out in a few days if I might be in the same predicament of choosing between NSU and PCOM. I've been doing some research on both schools and I always thought PCOM's students had better ops in terms of residency but after crunching the numbers of the 08 match list and putting them side by side, they seem very comparable with no school having an edge on the other in terms of more students who specialize etc. Anyone find something similar/different?
 
adizzlle said:
I will find out in a few days if I might be in the same predicament of choosing between NSU and PCOM. I've been doing some research on both schools and I always thought PCOM's students had better ops in terms of residency but after crunching the numbers of the 08 match list and putting them side by side, they seem very comparable with no school having an edge on the other in terms of more students who specialize etc. Anyone find something similar/different?
Click to expand...

Personally I think using match lists is one of the least useful factors to look at when trying to decide. I guess overall it could be helpful to look at and see if there any trends from year to year, etc.... but for the most part it is SO variable on dependent on the individual student that I really don't see how you can practically factor that in.

Some things I would say to focus on would be items such as curriculum, tuition, location, research (if that's important to you) and possibly rotation sites.

I don't think you can go wrong with either school. Both are well established with a good population of alumni out in the "field".
 
Both sound good...I'm a 'warm weather' person though. I hate snow. Used to live in the midwest. Nova for me if it came down to these two great choices.
 
lastcall said:
Both sound good...I'm a 'warm weather' person though. I hate snow. Used to live in the midwest. Nova for me if it came down to these two great choices.
Click to expand...
Wise choice. Studies show all sensible people choose Nova over PCOM. Isn't that right, Bacchus?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

P
LUCOM vs LECOM
Replies
4
Views
761
OsteopathPeds
OsteopathPeds
A
New DO school vs reapplying
Replies
11
Views
1K
CBass2288
CBass2288
D
VCOM- Auburn vs NYITCOM
Replies
5
Views
1K
DO2015CA
DO2015CA
G
AACOMAS Deadline VS Matriculation
Replies
0
Views
1K
GritAndGrowth
G
wysdoc
2025-2026 Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM-PA)
Replies
4
Views
2K
notEinstein
N
Top