NSU KPCOM vs CCOM

[johnmcl75]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I was just accepted to both the Nova NSU/KPCOM and IIT/CCOM BS/DO programs. I am having a hard time choosing between these 2 programs. Does anyone have feedback and/or insight on these two programs? I have read that CCOM is well-established, but expensive. But other than that, I am not sure. I would appreciate anything you can share!

@Goro, @Faha, @chilly_md I have read on other threads that you may have some insights into these program. Appreciate if you can provide some guidance.

Thanks so much!

 

[Goro]

Both are BSDO programs? If so, I'm not up on those.
Cheaper tuition would have me lean to Nova.

 

[johnmcl75]

Thanks @Goro for the response. Yes, they both are BSDO programs. Nova is 7-year and IIT/CCOM is 8-year.

 

[chilly_md]

Do you live near one of these programs?

Is there a specific requirement you need to maintain while getting your bachelor's? It might be more difficult at IIT. I am not familiar with it but assume it is an engineering school similar to Georgia Tech and VTech.

Saving a year at Nova on top of it being cheaper than CCOM is nice.

 

[johnmcl75]

Thanks @chilly_md for the response.

I live in west coast, so both programs are far from my home 🙁. For IIT, the requirement is 3.5 GPA and satisfactory MCAT score. For Nova, it is 3.5 GPA, 509 MCAT and an interview. Although the faculty at Nova suggests that interview is a formality, but I am always paranoid about such things.

Nova is definitely cheaper.
How is the academic rigor? How do these two programs compare in terms of residency matches? Any insights?

 

[chilly_md]

Thanks @chilly_md for the response.

I live in west coast, so both programs are far from my home 🙁. For IIT, the requirement is 3.5 GPA and satisfactory MCAT score. For Nova, it is 3.5 GPA, 509 MCAT and an interview. Although the faculty at Nova suggests that interview is a formality, but I am always paranoid about such things.

Nova is definitely cheaper.
How is the academic rigor? How do these two programs compare in terms of residency matches? Any insights?

CCOM is a good program, but has very high tuition.

Nova had concerns about declining board scores and there were notable complaints about the administration. The former I believe has improved recently. There really isn't much to look at from a residency match prospective to differentiate them. There appear to be more HCA matches at Nova though (probably since they have a big presence in FL) and those tend to be the ones applicants try to avoid due to the environment and how those hospitals are run.

 

[johnmcl75]

@chilly_md thank you very much for the insight. If you don’t mind couple of follow-ups, i’d like to understand a bit deeper.

I looked up HCA residency program, and they do not appear to be appealing. Does it mean that Nova students end up in those residences and hence the better match number? However, Illinois doesn’t have HCA like residences and hence their residency match data appears normal. Did I interpret this correctly? Does that also mean that CCOM residences are better?

Please advise. Thanks!

 

[chilly_md]

@chilly_md thank you very much for the insight. If you don’t mind couple of follow-ups, i’d like to understand a bit deeper.

I looked up HCA residency program, and they do not appear to be appealing. Does it mean that Nova students end up in those residences and hence the better match number? However, Illinois doesn’t have HCA like residences and hence their residency match data appears normal. Did I interpret this correctly? Does that also mean that CCOM residences are better?

Please advise. Thanks!

It is a larger class size at Nova since they have opened up additional campus locations. I assume some of these students would like to stay near family members since many Nova students are probably from FL or a surrounding state and they knowingly apply to HCA residencies. There were still many matches to university programs both within the state and outside of it. I do not know how the rotation sites are though for 3rd and 4th year. They may be at HCA hospitals or require you to travel further out to other parts of the state. CCOM seems to have there's all in Chicago.

I would try to avoid taking on 500k in debt though. You would need to look into options regarding how to repay that if the undergrad portion is going to cost a lot before you start med school.

 

[johnmcl75]

thanks @chilly_md , this perspective helps.

 

[Sidus1011]

@chilly_md thank you very much for the insight. If you don’t mind couple of follow-ups, i’d like to understand a bit deeper.

I looked up HCA residency program, and they do not appear to be appealing. Does it mean that Nova students end up in those residences and hence the better match number? However, Illinois doesn’t have HCA like residences and hence their residency match data appears normal. Did I interpret this correctly? Does that also mean that CCOM residences are better?

Please advise. Thanks!

Nova's major rotation sites and teaching hospital are HCA affiliates. Some students may have applied to them to be closer to home, others may have had no choice but to match into them. I am from the area and went out of state because I spoke with some of the students and they said they had no choice in their rotation site and many were placed in these for profit hospitals or outpatient clinics.

Both CCOM and Nova had a post soap placement rate around 96-97 percent. Both ask for massive premiums. For similar outcomes I would go for whichever is cheapest. There is no prestige in the DO world.

 

[johnmcl75]

Thanks @Sidus1011 !!