I'm sure
@Goro could pitch in here, but from what I've read on SDN, always pick an established DO over a
private, for-profit school that hasn't even graduated a class yet. Most of the negative things you hear about LECOM are from the OG campus, not the satellite one in Bradenton.
The students in OCOM aren't competitive from what I've seen on instagram, but I would like to direct you to one student's post about the school and how they unprofessionally rescinded her acceptance:
"I want to share with all of you the HORRIBLE experience I've had with OCOM primarily to help those thinking about applying hoping they don't make the same mistake I unfortunately did.
My name is [Jane Doe] and I got accepted to OCOM on March 19th 2025. I was overjoyed and really believed it was a good institution that cares deeply about their students. Background story: I am an immigrant who lives LEGALLY in United States for 10 years. I moved from Serbia to Arizona in 2015 and have an active immigration case.
When I applied to OCOM, I clearly stated in my primary application that I am still in process to receive my green card. In addition to this, my entire interview with Dr. Gary Hill (Associate Dean for Clinical Education) was based on my experience as an immigrant living in the states. I also contacted the school before applying to ask and was told they encourage diversity and would never discriminate against immigrants. Little did I know, that was a complete and utter lie.
After receiving my acceptance letter in March, I was on a first flight to Florida in April for Accepted Student Day. That same day, I rejected an interview with another medical school since I was committed to OCOM. I lost a chance to continue my education there because OCOM "made a mistake". Meanwhile, I spoke personally to Dean Hasty and thanked him for giving me an opportunity explaining how much it means to me being an immigrant to have the chance to study medicine in the U.S. I mention this only to show that all the members of OCOM administration were AWARE of my immigration status during my acceptance.
In June, I've moved with my family from Arizona to Florida (leased an apartment, purchased all the furniture, shipped a car..etc.) excited to start school in August. All together it cost my family over 30K to make a move out of state. Additionally, we already paid another 30K for OCOM tuition in full. This entire time, nobody from OCOM administration mentioned any problems with my immigration case as they accepted money with open arms.
Everything was well prepared for the first day of school (August 4th) when I received a phone call from Mrs. Bendall (Associate Dean for Student Services) on July 18th asking for my residency documents. As a reminder, this is 7 DAYS before the beginning of school. I submitted my immigration case, valid work permit, social security number as well as valid ID card. All these documents were used when I went to University of Arizona as a pre-med student and there was never any issues since they are a valid proof of my status in United States.
During the phone call (in the presence of my family) she said on speakerphone that there is NO PROBLEM with me attending OCOM with the paperwork I provided. The only possible issue might be matching into residency program which I was well aware of during the time of application. She mentioned I might need to sign a document stating OCOM is not held liable if I am unable to get into a residency program due to my immigration status. To this my aunt raised a valid question: Does OCOM guarantee their students who are US Citizens or Permanent Residents spot at the residency program? The answer is of course "no" and therefore it made no sense for me not to have the same chance at education as any other accepted student. At no point in this phone call did she say I will not be able to attend OCOM anymore. Mrs. Bendall asked for some time to do research about how to handle the issue with RESIDENCY saying she will call me back later that day. The phone call ended in the late morning on July 18th.
I patiently waited with my family until 4:30pm knowing that working hours at OCOM end at 5pm. When there was no phone call or email from Mrs. Bendall as promised, it made me anxious and I decided to give admissions office a call. They said Mrs. Bendall left LONG TIME AGO and haven't left any messages for me. Then at 11:30 pm (yes, at NIGHT) I receive an email from said lady with a letter terminating my acceptance to OCOM. I can only hope anyone reading this might empathize with the young woman reading this letter signed by the same person who told her there is no problem only a few hours ago.
Due to personal reasons, I will not disclose the details of the state that I was in that night. All I will say is that I was close to being hospitalized from the panic attack I experienced in front of my family ( this included two young siblings who had to watch me go through this). Not only was it completely UNPROFESSIONAL to send this letter on a Friday NIGHT but their LACK OF EMPATHY in a way they chose to handle this situation is appalling to me till this day. If there was any problem, why was I not informed during the phone call? Why didn't I receive a phone call back from Mrs. Bendall as promised? Why was a letter sent at 11:30pm days before the first day of school? What kind of institution of MONSTERS handles situation in such a way?
Now to go into the LYING part of this situation. The letter stated that my application claimed that I was a Permanent Resident which was a complete and utter LIE. When my father and aunt went to school on Monday ( since my health didn't allow me to attend) with proof that my primary application stated clearly that I was NOT a Permanent Resident, all they heard from Mrs Bendall was "I am so sorry, WE MADE A MISTAKE". If that was true, how come she didn't take the time to check the facts when she wrote and sent me that letter at 11:30 PM. We required the letter to be changed immediately, and are still waiting to be reimbursed the amount this entire situation costed my family.
As I said to administration at OCOM, I will repeat here: If they continue to chose ignorance, I will have no choice but to seek LEGAL ACTION against the school showing everyone the way they DISCRIMINATED against me and put my personal health in jeopardy. The job of a medical school is to raise empathetic physicians who care about people's health and I promise you OCOM is not a place for that. I will use my voice and all means necessary to ensure NOBODY is ever forced to go through the type of discrimination I went through that day.
If anyone asks me whether they should apply to OCOM, my answer is this: Are you sure you want these people to teach you how to be a doctor?"
