NYCPM or Western???

[dolceslim]

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hi all,

i've been accepted to ny and western and at this point, i need to hurry on decision. but im really confused 😕

i really need your feedback on both schools 😀
thanks in advance.

 

[215353]

hi all,

i've been accepted to ny and western and at this point, i need to hurry on decision. but im really confused 😕

i really need your feedback on both schools 😀
thanks in advance.

I think Western has a lot more to offer. You will be taking courses along side their DO students, therefore you know you will be getting a high quality education. Also, from what I have read, it appears Western even has or will be creating residency spots for only their students in southern CA. With the residency shortage we have going on now, this seems like a really good deal.

 

[dtrack22]

Western

 

[ckjets]

I think Western has a lot more to offer. You will be taking courses along side their DO students, therefore you know you will be getting a high quality education. Also, from what I have read, it appears Western even has or will be creating residency spots for only their students in southern CA. With the residency shortage we have going on now, this seems like a really good deal.

Really? do you have any proof of that? That does not sound too accurate or legal, I could be wrong. Strong statement to make without citing any sources.

 

[WaveOR]

Go to Western. I attend Western and I have no regrets with my decision. Also the weather is better than NY.

If you have any concerns let me know.

 

[janV88]

From what I have heard, both schools are good.

I interviewed at NYCPM and I liked what I saw. The only downside was that it was in the middle of Harlem. The high cost of living and a somewhat shady neighborhood is what kept me from considering it any further.

I did not interview at Western but being that Dean Harkless started the program...I'm sure it will become a very good school sooner or later. But that's the thing with western. It has promise but, in my opinion, it is too new.

With the impending residency shortage do you really want to 'chance it' at a new school which promises to open up ~50 new residencies? New York State has a TON of residency program already in place. I also do not like the way Western is 'thinking' of doing their clinical rotations. I say 'thinking' because, correct me if I'm wrong, nothing is set in stone yet as to what rotations are going to be done and where. I have heard that Western wants their podiatry students to take the same rotations as the DO students. But why spend time in OB/Gyn, Psych, Optho when you could be doing audition rotations at prospective residency programs? Also, how is the seating situation doing at western? I heard that there aren't enough seats for all the DO, OD, DPM, DVM, PA and Dental students who have class at the same time.

Above all of this, however, is where you see yourself for the next 4 years. Where will you feel the most comfortable based on what you know of the geographical region and how your interview went. Your gut instinct about the program should be at the top of your list when decided which school to go to.

 

[dtrack22]

...

 

[WaveOR]

I have heard that Western wants their podiatry students to take the same rotations as the DO students. But why spend time in OB/Gyn, Psych, Optho when you could be doing audition rotations at prospective residency programs? Also, how is the seating situation doing at western? I heard that there aren't enough seats for all the DO, OD, DPM, DVM, PA and Dental students who have class at the same time.

There has never been an issue of having no seat. Due to the delay in the new buildings being complete, we had two different lecture halls. The main lecture hall had the prof and the other hall was a video feed of the prof. If you needed to see the prof live then go to the main lecture hall, but you could ask questions, etc through the other one just fine. Some ppl were bothered and other didn't care. That is now a non issue with the new building being completed and there is tons of space. We take classes with DO, OD, and Dental only.

As Dtrack mentioned we will still have the same number of externships as other school w/ the ob/gyn and psych rotations. The extra rotations do not hurt, but would allow us sit for the USMLE.

 

[janV88]

There has never been an issue of having no seat. Due to the delay in the new buildings being complete, we had two different lecture halls. The main lecture hall had the prof and the other hall was a video feed of the prof. If you needed to see the prof live then go to the main lecture hall, but you could ask questions, etc through the other one just fine. Some ppl were bothered and other didn't care. That is now a non issue with the new building being completed and there is tons of space. We take classes with DO, OD, and Dental only.

As Dtrack mentioned we will still have the same number of externships as other school w/ the ob/gyn and psych rotations. The extra rotations do not hurt, but would allow us sit for the USMLE.

Sorry, I thought PA and DVM also took classes with you guys. My mistake. And good to know that the new buildings have been completed.

So, how many podiatry clerkships will western have? Actually, does anyone know how many each school has? I know that Scholl has atleast 10 externships.

Also, how will the USMLE thing work? Will you guys be taking Steps I and II? And will you also take the NBPME or no?

 

[Sig Savant]

Do you want to live on the East Coast, or the West Coast?

New York City is a walking city.

Pomona is more like driving everywhere. My recent visits to LA make me HATE traffic. Correct me if I'm wrong here.

Either school will give you a fine education.

Either school will be taking the USMLE's here shortly.

Obviously, NY has a huge alumni network. If Western has connections too, thats good to hear. You may not think about it now, but is one closer to your family? Its a long flight across the country.

I don't think it rains in LA. My feet are soaked from walking through NYC today. I have some sort of sick fascination with walking through rain and getting soaked, so it works for me.

 

[ckjets]

To the people posting out of their asses, I hope you realize that the amount of NYCPM graduates holding residency-director positions at well respected programs.

@dolceslim: NYCPM is a great school, I don't know much about Western, I hear it is doing a good job so far, time will tell (in the most objective way possible). Choose what feels right, not what people vote for (apparently some believe this is a democracy). Here are some ideas to think about that can perhaps help you decide:
-LA vs NY (Harlem)
-smaller class (western) vs larger class (NYCPM)
-School resources, libraries, study areas, etc.
-Which is closer to home, if family is a top priority.
-NYCPM has mandatory attendance, does western? is this a good or bad thing for you?
-school clinics
-student life
-religion
----------after edit--------
-being part of a larger university (Western) vs being your own entity (NYCPM).
*bureaucracy
*networking within the school (with other professionals)
*resources and study areas
-Research, gait labs.
-Clinical simulations

 

[215353]

To the people posting out of their asses...

The OP asked for opinions on the two schools...I posted my opinion and so did others. There is no need to get defensive.

 

[ckjets]

The OP asked for opinions on the two schools...I posted my opinion and so did others. There is no need to get defensive.

No, he asked for feedback, and people are giving statements and rankings on which is a better school; and chill I am not pissed, but he'll be if he joins a school he doesn't like because good folks on SDN decided one school is better respected than the other.

 

[215353]

No, he asked for feedback, and people are giving statements and rankings on which is a better school; and chill I am not pissed, but he'll be if he joins a school he doesn't like because good folks on SDN decided one school is better respected than the other.

If the OP chooses a school based on the opinions of others and does not proactively search for the right answer themselves, then they deserve to be dissapointed if they end up choosing the wrong school for them.

I have nothing left to say about this.

 

[WaveOR]

So, how many podiatry clerkships will western have? Actually, does anyone know how many each school has? I know that Scholl has atleast 10 externships.
Also, how will the USMLE thing work? Will you guys be taking Steps I and II? And will you also take the NBPME or no?

We will be taking the NBPME, as its the only board that really matters. If we do take USMLE, which they want us to do currently, we will take both Part 1 and part 2. Will it help us? not so much, but it's something to brag about if we passed, haha.

Western's rotations are not set in stone, but I am sure it will not be 10 clerkships/externships. They have mentioned a few hospitals we will rotating through, but have have not put out definite info. This is still a couple years away. Any one who interviewed lately may have a better idea of # of clerks, since I am concentrated on classes, haha.

 

[air bud]

No, he asked for feedback, and people are giving statements and rankings on which is a better school; and chill I am not pissed, but he'll be if he joins a school he doesn't like because good folks on SDN decided one school is better respected than the other.

Everybody on here should be wearing their big boy underpants. Take everything on here with a grain of salt and form your own opinions.

 

[dtrack22]

What if you don't wear underpants? I took PADPM's advice and stopped last spring...

 

[morgan0405]

From what I have heard, both schools are good.

I interviewed at NYCPM and I liked what I saw. The only downside was that it was in the middle of Harlem. The high cost of living and a somewhat shady neighborhood is what kept me from considering it any further.

I did not interview at Western but being that Dean Harkless started the program...I'm sure it will become a very good school sooner or later. But that's the thing with western. It has promise but, in my opinion, it is too new.

With the impending residency shortage do you really want to 'chance it' at a new school which promises to open up ~50 new residencies? New York State has a TON of residency program already in place. I also do not like the way Western is 'thinking' of doing their clinical rotations. I say 'thinking' because, correct me if I'm wrong, nothing is set in stone yet as to what rotations are going to be done and where. I have heard that Western wants their podiatry students to take the same rotations as the DO students. But why spend time in OB/Gyn, Psych, Optho when you could be doing audition rotations at prospective residency programs? Also, how is the seating situation doing at western? I heard that there aren't enough seats for all the DO, OD, DPM, DVM, PA and Dental students who have class at the same time.

Above all of this, however, is where you see yourself for the next 4 years. Where will you feel the most comfortable based on what you know of the geographical region and how your interview went. Your gut instinct about the program should be at the top of your list when decided which school to go to.

i totally agree, but i did decide on nycpm regardless, and from being here, i have really never felt unsafe. my latest lab this year has been until 6, and thats only once or twice a week, and they have a program that they will have someone walk you to the subway station if you dont feel comfortable, but honestly the station is only a couple minutes away, and ive never felt in danger. plus its actually an upside because the amount of people that come into the clinic is more than any other school ive visited, and the diversity of the people in the city is really incomparable. you will see EVERYTHING here, which honestly is the point, ya know? you dont want to come across something in practice that youve never seen in your life, and in order to make sure you do that, you have to put yourself in an area that makes it possible to see all of those different kinds of things (although it sucks, in order to learn the most, you have to be able to examine the worst possible cases, which you WILL see here).