NSU vs AZCOM vs Western

[GaryPham]

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Hi guys,

I'm strongly debating on how these three schools rank against each other from a purely academic standpoint. Right now I'm interested in primary care, but want to leave my options open for specialty residencies in case I find something that really interests me.

I looked at NSU's old residency matchlist (from 2005 i think?) and noticed that they had over 20 students match into surgical internships. I wasn't able to find any for Western or AZCOM, so I didn't know how to compare them.

Could someone give me an unbiased quick summary on how these three schools rank against each other on terms such as curriculum, clinical rotations, recent year's matchlists, boardscore averages, and 1st try COMLEX 1 passing rates?

Thanks everyone!

 

[jzeidenb]

the only thing i didnt like about nova was the exam every monday once u hit october. thats not something that i like

 

[EAS2784]

I'm going through the NSU 'Black october' right now...and I have to say, it's A LOT better than having exams all week. One a week is rough but it's not too bad...

 

[cyclohexanol]

Hi guys,

I'm strongly debating on how these three schools rank against each other from a purely academic standpoint. Right now I'm interested in primary care, but want to leave my options open for specialty residencies in case I find something that really interests me.

I looked at NSU's old residency matchlist (from 2005 i think?) and noticed that they had over 20 students match into surgical internships. I wasn't able to find any for Western or AZCOM, so I didn't know how to compare them.

Could someone give me an unbiased quick summary on how these three schools rank against each other on terms such as curriculum, clinical rotations, recent year's matchlists, boardscore averages, and 1st try COMLEX 1 passing rates?

Thanks everyone!

Info for western:

Western 2007 Match: http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pKQqFvE2Rwo--gt4j71J1cw&hl=en

1st time COMLEX Step 1 pass rate for Class of 2009: 94.4% ; avg score 511


Plenty of other info available on the schools themselves in the forums, just gotta search

 

[Kuba]

the only thing i didnt like about nova was the exam every monday once u hit october. thats not something that i like

if black october really seems like something you would hate over block exams, than NSU is prob not your can of soup.

 

[GaryPham]

I don't think taking an exam every week would be a bad thing, at least for me personally. Sounds like that would force me to keep up with the material and prevent me from procrastinating.

Thanks for the western matchlist and COMLEX stats cyclo! Does anyone happen to also have any recent 2006/2007 matchlists/COMLEX stats for AZCOM or NSU?

I'm not sure how an average 511 COMLEX I score compares to other schools, but a 94% pass rate does seem a bit low doesn't it? I was reading on AZCOM's website and they claim to have a 98% 1st try COMLEX 1 pass rate. During my interview at Nova, they also claimed to have a 98% pass rate (but did not specify if this was first try or not).

 

[thatpamgirl]

I don't have the papers from my interview right in front of me, so sorry if this is a little vague. However, when I was at AZCOM they had a presentation where they showed us graphs of COMLEX scores, and they ranked the second highest in pass rates out of all DO schools for COMLEX I and II. (the graphs were from the COMLEX people so they didn't just make them up. They didn't know what schools were represented by any of the other bars, they just know they were the 2nd one).

Also, they gave us a match list and I remember being really really surprised because A LOT of their students match into MD residencies. They must be doing something right, it really was at least 50% of the students. I think if you want a specialty, AZCOM would be a great place to prepare for one.

Once again, sorry I don't have the actual papers in front of me to give you specifics.

 

[Jpc984]

I believe AZCOM has tests once a week as well...

 

[GaryPham]

has anyone interviewed at all 3 of these schools? What are your opinions on the curriculum?

 

[zch76]

I recently interviewed at NOVA and AZCOM and honestly I have no idea which one to choose. There my top two choices, I've been going back and forth so if anyone has any information or know anything about either school and surgery let me know,
Thanks

 

[MikeyLu2010]

I got into both AZCOM..and NSU 2 application cycles ago..and i chose NSU...things that helped me decide was:

1. Location..i'd rather live near the beach then in the desert.
2. Costs: AZCOM's tuition is rising steadily ...sure one might argue S. FL cost of living is high..but i only pay 500/mo for rent which is cheaper then wat i paid for when i was living in austin, TX for undergrad.
3. Clinical ed: Seems to be more organized, structured. Core rotations are set during 3rd year, while for AZCOM you have to set everything up. the clinical education you get at NSU is one of the bigger strengths of this school.
4. Facilities: we've got a Harvey, an actual gym..the biggest library in FL.. only con about facilities is that none of the libraries are open 24/7..and the gym isnt 24/7 either.
5. Curriculum: there is a pinch of PBL in our curriculum during 2nd year, and i dont think AZCOM has that.
6. More established school. Has been graduating docs for over 25 years (still nothing compared to CCOM,DMU,KCOM, PCOM)


Factors that favored AZCOM:
1. excellent board scores
2. alot of ppl match into anesth (i was interested in doing that)

My hometown of Houston is exactly in the middle of the 2 schools so either way its bout the same plane ride..so when i was looking at it, NSU won in my books..im sure others look at things differently..so only take my advice w/ a grain of salt.

PS: in retrospect i do not regret my decision on going to NSU.. and all of my friends seem to share the same sentiment.

 

[AUdacious]

NSU Class of 2007 - says where everyone got for their first year which means some people got into advance programs but are listed under traditional/transitional only. I know we have one more anesthes and two more rads that are not listed due to this.

http://medicine.nova.edu/academics/clinical/forms/intern_sites07.pdf

 

[zch76]

How many elective rotations do you get to choose during your third and fourth year at NOVA compared to AZCOM?

 

[sparhawksd]

I was fortunate enough to get interview invites from all three programs. I interviewed first at Western (10/11), then at NSU (10/25), and eventually at AZCOM (11/30), which I canceled following my acceptances at the other two schools.

I personally was more impressed with the curriculum that Western offered over NSU b/c I thought Western laid out what to expect from their students more thoroughly than Nova.

Sure NSU has a nicer campus and facilities, but the building that was highlighted the most during interview day was the GYM of all places. I mean I like working out, but the place that I will be spending most of time for the next four years will be in the classroom not the gym.

Anyway...back on topic. I think that what it ultimately boils down to between the three schools is what place suits you the best.

As far as COMLEX scores and matchlists, the percentages separating all of the programs is neglible. Just work hard and make the most of your opportunities and things will out fine in the end. Nowadays, it is relatively unheard of for a 4th year not to get matched at any of their choices.

For me, I ultimately made the decision to choose Western over NSU and cancel my interview at AZCOM b/c Western had everything that I personally wanted out of a medical school.

Sorry about being vague, but if I were you, I would look at the intangibles that each school has to offer, particularly location b/c if you get acceptances from all three schools I think that you need to choose a place that you can see yourself living and studying in for quite some time.

Hope that helps!

 

[StriveToBeDr]

Do you mind sharing your stats?

 

[sparhawksd]

My stats were:

Overall GPA: 3.71
Science GPA: 3.66
MCAT 25P (lowest score in PS)~ I hated my MCAT score, but oh well.

 

[zch76]

Between AZCOM and NOVA which school will provide the best oppertunity for clinicals to set me up for surgery. I do not know how the hospitals around either school is. I just want to have the best chance I can to get into a surgical specialty.