OK State, UNE, or KCU??

[swarley1820]

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After being denied from every school I applied to my first application cycle, I have been fortunate enough to have acceptances at UNE and OSU (still waiting on KCU's decision). I am having an extremely difficult time deciding between the two, and I don't see my decision getting any easier if I'm accepted into KCU.

I'd like to get your guy's opinion and would truly appreciate your input.

UNE: The major pro about UNE is its location. I love the fact that its next to the beach/Boston, but I was not really impressed with their facilities.

OSU: I completed my undergrad in Oklahoma and know a few medical students there, but I'm a CA resident so I'd be paying oos tuition. The thing that worries me is the dramatic decrease in board pass rates over the past couple of years, which has not impacted their match rate.

KCU (if accepted): I really enjoyed the campus, the curriculum, and the strong emphasis they place on preparing their students for boards. The fact that they have local pro sports teams is a huge plus for me lol.

I honestly don't know how to decide between the schools and I'm trying to get as much advice as I possibly can before committing. Thank you, in advance, for your help!

 

[angeloflogic]

I'd cross UNE off your list. If you're from cali and went to school in oklahoma, you'll definitely find the weather difference a shock. Also at this time UNE has mandatory attendance 🙁.

If I were you, I'd probably would go OSU, barely. They're a public school and their OOS tuition is almost exactly the same as KCU's tuition, if my research is correct. Being a public school is a huge factor. That means they have a dedicated teaching hospital, much more dedicated residencies, and you're already more familiar with the state.

You honestly can't go wrong with either OSU or KCU in my opinion, if you get accepted to KCU.

 

[austintr]

I agree with the above poster. UNE would be the first I would drop. In addition to the weather, general competitiveness of the northeast region, density of medical schools in the area, etc, the cost of living is sky high there from what I understand. I think UNE is a good option for those from the region, but I wouldn't move across the country to attend.

OSU is a great school, as is KCU. Since you have some experience in OK, you know how the people are, etc. OSU pushes rural a bit more than KCU I think, but you definitely have options. As stated above, the in-house residencies and established nature of being a state school are beneficial.

KCU seems to be an excellent choice as well. I live in KC and it is a great place to live. KCU has a great history with boards and match rates. The main drawback I see with KCU is the lottery system with rotations and the potential to end up somewhere you may not want to be. If you like traveling and aren't tied down, as they say, this could be a plus though. Plus, KC has a very large DO community and 5+ very large hospitals. If it were my choice, I would choose KCU, but not by much.

All in all, you're in a very good spot and whichever you choose, I think you'll be happy with your decision. I would recommend talking to several students from each school for a little more detailed input. Good luck!

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

OSU = teaching hospital with residency programs that heavily favor the home team. I wouldn't worry about the board pass rates, take care of your own studying and you will be just fine. When I asked about it at the interview they were very open about it, it sounded like it was just a perfect storm of multiple events that caused the dip.

 

[cptnjack]

as much as I love KCU i think OSU edges out just due to being a public school with a teaching hospital

 

[PathoTurnUp1865]

After being denied from every school I applied to my first application cycle, I have been fortunate enough to have acceptances at UNE and OSU (still waiting on KCU's decision). I am having an extremely difficult time deciding between the two, and I don't see my decision getting any easier if I'm accepted into KCU.

I'd like to get your guy's opinion and would truly appreciate your input.

UNE: The major pro about UNE is its location. I love the fact that its next to the beach/Boston, but I was not really impressed with their facilities.

OSU: I completed my undergrad in Oklahoma and know a few medical students there, but I'm a CA resident so I'd be paying oos tuition. The thing that worries me is the dramatic decrease in board pass rates over the past couple of years, which has not impacted their match rate.

KCU (if accepted): I really enjoyed the campus, the curriculum, and the strong emphasis they place on preparing their students for boards. The fact that they have local pro sports teams is a huge plus for me lol.

I honestly don't know how to decide between the schools and I'm trying to get as much advice as I possibly can before committing. Thank you, in advance, for your help!

The board thing was a one time thing. All other years have been great. It depends on the class honestly, they give us more than enough resources to be successful. It's up to the student to use them effectively.
Also our sim hospital is amazing and is almost complete. There aren't any other osteopathic schools that have the resources OSU does.

 

[MADD!!!]

I will add this... I think it matters heavily on what you want to specialize in. KCU's curriculum is known to be the best in terms of preparing for boards. By that I mean getting a competitive scores.

If you want to do a residency that OSU offers in-house, then even with a lower score it won't matter because you have that edge. But if you want to apply nationally for a residency like Ortho surg that OSU doesn't offer, I think KCU will give you an edge in terms of how their sole mission is to prepare you to be competitive for any residency vs OSU's push towards rural primary care.

I say this because there's a big difference between simply passing boards and getting a competitive score. Even though most students pass boards, few DO schools have an average that's competitive to compete on a national scale.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

I will add this... I think it matters heavily on what you want to specialize in. KCU's curriculum is known to be the best in terms of preparing for boards. By that I mean getting a competitive scores.

If you want to do a residency that OSU offers in-house, then even with a lower score it won't matter because you have that edge. But if you want to apply nationally for a residency like Ortho surg that OSU doesn't offer, I think KCU will give you an edge in terms of how their sole mission is to prepare you to be competitive for any residency vs OSU's push towards rural primary care.

I say this because there's a big difference between simply passing boards and getting a competitive score. Even though most students pass boards, few DO schools have an average that's competitive to compete on a national scale.

OSU has ortho. The competitive fields they don't have are mainly derm, NS and plastics

 

[MADD!!!]

OSU has ortho. The competitive fields they don't have are mainly derm, NS and plastics

Dang! Didn't know that

 

[swarley1820]

Thank you everyone for all your input. Lately, I have been leaning towards OSU for all the reasons you guys mentioned. The only thing is, I don't see myself settling in OK. I'd like to come back to CA or at least practice somewhere on the east coast. Idk if this would impact your guy's opinion on which school would be the better option.

The reason why the pass rates keep impacting my decision is bc I had trouble with the MCAT during my first cycle. Although I resolved that problem, I want to make sure I go to a place where I have all the help I can get. At the moment, I'm not 100% sure what I want to pursue. I've considered going into FM and PM&R.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

The reason why the pass rates keep impacting my decision is bc I had trouble with the MCAT during my first cycle. Although I resolved that problem, I want to make sure I go to a place where I have all the help I can get. At the moment, I'm not 100% sure what I want to pursue. I've considered going into FM and PM&R.

Honestly you might even get extra help because the school seems to be determined not to let that kind of dip happen again. If you do end up wanting one of those two specialties it won't matter where you go honestly, people go to great FM and PM&R programs from every DO program.

Dang! Didn't know that

Yeah two actually, one true home program at the medical center and then an affiliate in OKC. The residency programs are one of the biggest draws for me, because I don't know what I want to do having home programs would give a leg up if I decide I want to do something competitive. As long as I am competitive of course.

 

[gamieg]

I don't have personal knowledge of OSU, but between UNE and KCU I would pick UNECOM.

my main reason is because of rotations and the clinical exposure even in pre-clerkship years. UNECOM has preceptor and ward rotations, and from the questions I asked on interview day, there seems to be a pretty good distribution. KCU is mostly preceptor-based, which I think would make it less competitive. this is of course owing that the board scores you obtain are comparable. KCU has a tried and true curriculum, but the large class size wasn't attractive to me.

I loved my visit to UNECOM, and the cost of living in Biddeford is affordable compared to most of california. I'm from norcal and I loved Maine, from the food to the culture to the people. it felt more like home than I had expected, and the weather was a little shocking but isn't a deal breaker for me.

 

[MADD!!!]

I'm so biased against UNECOM because they are the only medical school in Maine, yet very few DO's get accepted into the state's hospital residencies.

 

[HMtoDO]

I live in Portland, ME and turned down an acceptance from UNE. Initially really wanted to attend but was not impressed with the school on interview day at all. They boast one of the best anatomy programs yet the school I interviewed at the following week literally has the same pre clinical education and anatomy program as UNE (like identical). Their clinical education seems decent but it is mostly preceptor based with a few wards mixed in DEPENDING on where you go. This is similar with many DO schools. The residencies in Maine don't even favor their school but rather Vermonts MD school. And to top it off mandatory lecture is a no go.

Boards are what you put into it. Just because you have a school that has an average overall score does not mean you are destined for that fate. If you want it, work for it. That's why there are students at almost all the DO schools pulling great step 1 scores! you just need to be willing to put the work in.

With that said, a state school with those attributes such as home residencies like you mention from OSU are worth it. At the end of the day you are going to be in debt no matter what. It's an investment into your future. Work hard and reap the benefits. Good luck!


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[AlteredScale]

KCU is mostly preceptor-based, which I think would make it less competitive.

Just as info for everyone. If you choose to stay in KC for rotations then the above is 100% true. It is preceptor based. However the other clinical core sites including Joplin, Wichita, St. Louis as well as FL, MI, OH all are def more wards/resident team lead than preceptor based because these are teaching hospitals that are a part of a respective OPTI.

OSU is a very strong program, having in-house clinical departments is seriously something that is a rarity with most DO schools. I have heard that the merger will close some surgical programs since they cannot support the AOA to ACGME transition financially.

You can get to CA from all of these medical schools. Just need to pay attention to which one gives you the most freedom come 4th your to do audition rotations and aren't filled with required clerkships.

 

[swarley1820]

Just as info for everyone. If you choose to stay in KC for rotations then the above is 100% true. It is preceptor based. However the other clinical core sites including Joplin, Wichita, St. Louis as well as FL, MI, OH all are def more wards/resident team lead than preceptor based because these are teaching hospitals that are a part of a respective OPTI.

OSU is a very strong program, having in-house clinical departments is seriously something that is a rarity with most DO schools. I have heard that the merger will close some surgical programs since they cannot support the AOA to ACGME transition financially.

You can get to CA from all of these medical schools. Just need to pay attention to which one gives you the most freedom come 4th your to do audition rotations and aren't filled with required clerkships.

I'm glad you brought this up bc I was also wondering how the merger would impact their residencies. I'm sure it wouldn't have a huge impact due to the state funding they receive, but I'm not well informed on how all of that may play out.

@AnatomyGrey12 will you be attending OSU?

 

[AlteredScale]

I'm glad you brought this up bc I was also wondering how the merger would impact their residencies. I'm sure it wouldn't have a huge impact due to the state funding they receive, but I'm not well informed on how all of that may play out.

It is very up in the air as to the exact number that will make it through. With 3 years left we will need to see essentially all AOA programs at a minimum apply for pre-accreditation. What is nice however is that OSU Medical Center will have AOA programs that survive and so all OSU medical students will still have in house GME which is always a plus for training and education.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

I'm glad you brought this up bc I was also wondering how the merger would impact their residencies. I'm sure it wouldn't have a huge impact due to the state funding they receive, but I'm not well informed on how all of that may play out.

@AnatomyGrey12 will you be attending OSU?

Most likely! Still have a couple other apps out but they are some completely longshot reach schools (MD) a little closer to home.

Completely thrilled to go here though, the other schools I interviewed at didn't compare in terms of resources available. Not to mention that the student body and admin made me feel right at home, the small class size is a huge plus for me as well.

 

[Dr. Death]

Just as info for everyone. If you choose to stay in KC for rotations then the above is 100% true. It is preceptor based. However the other clinical core sites including Joplin, Wichita, St. Louis as well as FL, MI, OH all are def more wards/resident team lead than preceptor based because these are teaching hospitals that are a part of a respective OPTI.

OSU is a very strong program, having in-house clinical departments is seriously something that is a rarity with most DO schools. I have heard that the merger will close some surgical programs since they cannot support the AOA to ACGME transition financially.

You can get to CA from all of these medical schools. Just need to pay attention to which one gives you the most freedom come 4th your to do audition rotations and aren't filled with required clerkships.

I'm glad you brought this up bc I was also wondering how the merger would impact their residencies. I'm sure it wouldn't have a huge impact due to the state funding they receive, but I'm not well informed on how all of that may play out.

@AnatomyGrey12 will you be attending OSU?

It is very up in the air as to the exact number that will make it through. With 3 years left we will need to see essentially all AOA programs at a minimum apply for pre-accreditation. What is nice however is that OSU Medical Center will have AOA programs that survive and so all OSU medical students will still have in house GME which is always a plus for training and education.

OSU student here, they are going to transition every program over to ACGME, no spots will be lost and all spots will gain osteopathic distinction. I think the choice here is OSU. Mandatory attendance is enough to scratch any school off my list, and KCU is such an enormous school (and growing) and the curriculum is very rigorous. OSU is much more laid back, longer summers and we have a ton of in-house residencies. Plus KC and Dallas aren't that far away if you want to go see the Chiefs, Cowboys, Rangers or Royals.

 

[AlteredScale]

OSU student here, they are going to transition every program over to ACGME, no spots will be lost and all spots will gain osteopathic distinction. I think the choice here is OSU. Mandatory attendance is enough to scratch any school off my list, and KCU is such an enormous school (and growing) and the curriculum is very rigorous. OSU is much more laid back, longer summers and we have a ton of in-house residencies. Plus KC and Dallas aren't that far away if you want to go see the Chiefs, Cowboys, Rangers or Royals.

My info came from another source from PD at OSU who stated some of the programs have applied but did not pass to receive initial accred and will have to shut down. I may be mistaken however.

 

[swarley1820]

OSU student here, they are going to transition every program over to ACGME, no spots will be lost and all spots will gain osteopathic distinction. I think the choice here is OSU. Mandatory attendance is enough to scratch any school off my list, and KCU is such an enormous school (and growing) and the curriculum is very rigorous. OSU is much more laid back, longer summers and we have a ton of in-house residencies. Plus KC and Dallas aren't that far away if you want to go see the Chiefs, Cowboys, Rangers or Royals.

OSU's lectures are mandatory as well, aren't they?

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

OSU's lectures are mandatory as well, aren't they?

Nope

 

[Mad Jack]

OSU

 

[Dr. Death]

My info came from another source from PD at OSU who stated some of the programs have applied but did not pass to receive initial accred and will have to shut down. I may be mistaken however.

The programs that applied first received continued pre-accreditation, however all the programs that applied after the first wave were granted initial accreditation. We were told that every expense would be taken to get all programs through the merger. When did you receive this information.

 

[Dr. Death]

OSU's lectures are mandatory as well, aren't they?

Only 1 hour of OMM lecture per week is mandatory.

 

[AlteredScale]

The programs that applied first received continued pre-accreditation, however all the programs that applied after the first wave were granted initial accreditation. We were told that every expense would be taken to get all programs through the merger. When did you receive this information.

This past week.


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[Dr. Death]

This past week.


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Strange. We heard this in September and again last Wednesday. Maybe I'm being naive but I have a hard time thinking they'd build a 45 million dollar building for the medical school on one hand and not pay to keep all the residencies open on the other.

 

[AlteredScale]

Strange. We heard this in September and again last Wednesday. Maybe I'm being naive but I have a hard time thinking they'd build a 45 million dollar building for the medical school on one hand and not pay to keep all the residencies open on the other.

I completely believe you that the admin and leadership at OSU is doing their absolute best to get all of them through the merger and truly hope it does!

 

[DNC127]

Bullet point list of why going to anywhere DO besides OSU (except for MSU or PCOM) is crazy in order of importance:

College football

"OSU MEDICINE" hoodies and shirts always make you feel pretty cool walking into family parties.

OSU has research opportunities that you can capitalize on (I will have 4 projects submitted this month, and around 7-8 by april ranging from psych to neurosurgery )

OSU has 2 separate ortho residencies and every specialty besides derm and N surg as well as fellowships like interventional cardiology, oncology, plastics ect. all OSU residencies will be osteopathic distinguished (less likely MD people will rank high, plus we are one of the only osteopathic hospitals in the nation so I doubt they would rank MD's high anyways). More residency spots than students. Like 5 different ER residencies.... Only residency that won't survive we were told was optho

OU has lots of residencies in tulsa that our students frequently match to.

45 million dollar building will be done in the summer which I believe has a full service surgical simulation sweet.

They are giving us over 2 months off for boards pretty much

no dress code.

no attendance.

small class size (115)

lots of rural interested students that just want a 70 on everything so most OOS people are usually top quartile

Tulsa has good food

Super chill curriculum compared to KCU and such


I LOVED KCU, but OSU was such a good decision. Board scores hurt the last couple years, but we will still always have around 100% match rate even after the merger because of our residencies (we had lots of open spots last year in ER and FM I believe. Besides that, everyone at our school that wanted to score high on board DID. You just have to decide to and put in the work necessary.

 

[swarley1820]

Thank you all again for all your input.

Last thing, @DNC127 and @Dr. Death do you guys have any info about 4th year at OSU as far as doing audition rotations? Like I stated earlier, as much as I loved living in OK, I want to come back to CA.

I'm glad college football made it to the top of your list lol.

 

[PathoTurnUp1865]

It is very up in the air as to the exact number that will make it through. With 3 years left we will need to see essentially all AOA programs at a minimum apply for pre-accreditation. What is nice however is that OSU Medical Center will have AOA programs that survive and so all OSU medical students will still have in house GME which is always a plus for training and education.

Osu is also making their residencies give priority to their students too.
From what I understand the residencies that are submitting for acgme are either with osu or at big name hospitals (integris and st Anthony). Don't know about the others though. When the aoa rep came to talk to us he was pretty vague.

 

[Dr. Death]

Thank you all again for all your input.

Last thing, @DNC127 and @Dr. Death do you guys have any info about 4th year at OSU as far as doing audition rotations? Like I stated earlier, as much as I loved living in OK, I want to come back to CA.

I'm glad college football made it to the top of your list lol.

Do you have a specific question about them? It's definitely possible to match back in CA. Looks like you have 9 electives to work with between 3rd and 4th year, 2 of them have to be in primary care.

 

[DNC127]

Thank you all again for all your input.

Last thing, @DNC127 and @Dr. Death do you guys have any info about 4th year at OSU as far as doing audition rotations? Like I stated earlier, as much as I loved living in OK, I want to come back to CA.

I'm glad college football made it to the top of your list lol.

We had someone match at stanford in ER last year so it can be done. However, most students just want a primary care spot in Oklahoma and very few students are from california so don't look to much into the match lists.
I have heard we have a pretty chill fourth year schedule for what its worth but do not have details.

 

[AlteredScale]

We had someone match at stanford in ER last year so it can be done. However, most students just want a primary care spot in Oklahoma and very few students are from california so don't look to much into the match lists.
I have heard we have a pretty chill fourth year schedule for what its worth but do not have details.

First DO into that program I believe. That's awesome. Do you know anything about that person btw? Top of the class etc etc


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[DNC127]

First DO into that program I believe. That's awesome. Do you know anything about that person btw? Top of the class etc etc


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From what I could gather he was a military dude with a cool background and really humble and hard working and stanford liked him haha but I don't think he was like a once in a lifetime DO ya know? I heard he was a smart dude (top GPA), but smarts weren't really why he got the spot. (this is coming secondarily from people that knew him). Sounds like he had some cool wilderness med research!

Here is the bio stanford has for him


Undergrad/Degree: Oklahoma State University / BLA, Bsx2
Medical School: Oklahoma State University
Professional Interests: Tactical and Wilderness Medicine, and Emergency Medicine
Publications/Projects/Awards: U/S in the pre-hospital and tactival environment. Use of IO in the tactical, wilderness, pre-hospital and other austere environments. Expansion of tactical medicine training to military and law enforcement officers. Expansion of PHTLS training in the wilderness and park medic community. Oklahoma State University - Mosel Award top GPA senior
Hobbies: Hiking, Mountaineering, Scuba Diving, Spear Fishing, Mountain Biking, Marksmanship
Interesting Past Life: US Navy Flight Surgeon

 

[MADD!!!]

Bullet point list of why going to anywhere DO besides OSU (except for MSU or PCOM) is crazy in order of importance:

College football

"OSU MEDICINE" hoodies and shirts always make you feel pretty cool walking into family parties.

OSU has research opportunities that you can capitalize on (I will have 4 projects submitted this month, and around 7-8 by april ranging from psych to neurosurgery )

OSU has 2 separate ortho residencies and every specialty besides derm and N surg as well as fellowships like interventional cardiology, oncology, plastics ect. all OSU residencies will be osteopathic distinguished (less likely MD people will rank high, plus we are one of the only osteopathic hospitals in the nation so I doubt they would rank MD's high anyways). More residency spots than students. Like 5 different ER residencies.... Only residency that won't survive we were told was optho

OU has lots of residencies in tulsa that our students frequently match to.

45 million dollar building will be done in the summer which I believe has a full service surgical simulation sweet.

They are giving us over 2 months off for boards pretty much

no dress code.

no attendance.

small class size (115)

lots of rural interested students that just want a 70 on everything so most OOS people are usually top quartile

Tulsa has good food

Super chill curriculum compared to KCU and such


I LOVED KCU, but OSU was such a good decision. Board scores hurt the last couple years, but we will still always have around 100% match rate even after the merger because of our residencies (we had lots of open spots last year in ER and FM I believe. Besides that, everyone at our school that wanted to score high on board DID. You just have to decide to and put in the work necessary.

What are the pros of PCOM over OSU that you said (except PCOM) above? Just curious...

 

[DNC127]

Well I think the only pros that PCOM has is they have N surg and urology and residencies that OSU doesn't (if you are into that)
I didn't mean it like "oh PCOM and MSU are better than OSU" I just meant you wouldn't be crazy to pick them over OSU, just like you also wouldn't be crazy to pick OSU over them hah. In my opinion they are the 3 most "MD like" DO schools along with TCOM I guess.
However, one advantage of OSU that cannot be understated is I feel like the students are less competitive stat wise than PCOM, and there are more people DEAD SET on primary care. Meaning its less of a competition to get to the top ya know? Everyone I know at or near the top of our class is OOS, some with MD acceptances that turned them down.

 

[Skynnyrd]

The two months of dedicated board study are really nice. Yeah it doesn't look like ophtho will make it, neither will the nephro, pulm, GI, or Heme onc fellowships. All the others are in good shape as far as I've heard! I agree with all the posters above. OSU has been a great school to attend. Currently in my 3rd year and all of my rotations at the hospital have been ward based with residents/attendings. There are very high expectations for 3rd years. I think the 3rd/4th year rotations is where OSU really shines compared to other schools. And although we had a low pass rate the first year of the curriculum change our COMLEX PE pass rates have been the highest/close to the highest in the nation (clinical skills professor told me, haven't looked it up myself). Also our school has an awesome research department. Dr. Miller is a top neuro researcher and has gotten many people into the mayo, both rochester and phoenix. He is a great guy to have in your corner if you are interested in academic medicine.

 

[MADD!!!]

OSU is a gem. Too bad only about 9 or so OOS students get to take advantage of it.