NSU-KPCOM vs ATSU Kirksville

[adcolem44]

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I paid my deposit for NSU on December 14th, and then two days later I got accepted to ATSU. I have until mid-January to make a decision, but I wanted to know everyone's thoughts. My overall career goal is to go into either pediatrics or OB/GYN, but lately I have been considering psychiatry. I'm a Michigan resident-- although I have no idea where I want to do my residency/ live in the future

ATSU Pros:

• They have a real cadaver lab
• Cost of living in Kirksville is much cheaper compared to Ft Lauderdale
• More widely recognized school, better history/alumni connections
• Ultrasound built into the curriculum, plus I feel better about the curriculum overall than I do about Nova's
• They have two rotation sites that are in driving distance from my home in Michigan, so I could live at home my last two years. I also wouldn't mind doing my rotations at some of their other sites across the country
• I get the summer off between first and second year

ATSU Cons:

• Kirksville. I'll only have to be there two years but it is much more rural than what I am used to
• Kind of related to above, but it is really hard to travel to Kirksville. It's either a 10 hour drive or I have to fly into St Louis and still drive another 2.5 hours. They do have a regional airport but flights are very expensive
• Heavy OMM emphasis, two labs per week

NSU Pros:

• Location. Much more urban, better weather, easier to travel to
• I've already paid a $1200 deposit
• Opportunities for international travel/medical mission trips
• Student body seems more diverse than ATSU

NSU Cons:

• No cadaver lab
• Lower COMLEX scores and match rates, especially when looking at residencies in Michigan
• No summer off between first and second years
• Much higher cost of living

TIA for any advice!

 

[chilly_md]

Students have had complaints about the administration at NSU. I would choose ATSU-Kirksville (KCOM) especially if you'll be saving a lot of money from the cost of living. You can use some of the savings to take the regional flight during summer and you'll also have the time during rotations to be closer to home potentially. NSU provides far fewer chances for you to go back home during your 4 years it seems.