OU-HCOM vs. ATSU-KCOM

[tornado15]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I have been accepted to ATSU-KCOM and NYITCOM Jonesboro and got an II for OU-HCOM. My top two choices right now are ATSU-KCOM and OU-HCOM. Here's some similarities and differences for each school:

Similarities

• Every school seems to have a collaborative, non-competitive environment.
• DO schools
• All have simulation, anatomy lab, and other med student facilities
• I do not care if I'm in a big city or a rural area
• Moving for rotations (but also savor the idea of moving to different places, so I can't complain too much)
• Not super concerned about board scores, but hopefully they're on par or better (but doing well is on me though)

OU-HCOM with strong preference to the Cleveland campus (mostly speculation since I haven't had my interview yet).

• Pros: Close to home and family (less than 35 minutes), Cleveland Clinic connection, P/F (I think), tuition seems reasonable, non-mandatory lectures
• Cons: Not as established as KCOM, big emphasis on primary care

ATSU-KCOM

• Pros: Non-Mandatory Lectures, Rotation sites at my current legal residence, reasonable COL
• Cons: Tuition is very expensive with little to no scholarships, graded

My top specialty is neuro/orthopedic surgery, and my other interests include diagnostic radiology and physical medicine & rehabilitation. I understand that surgery (or any specialty) is not ideal given that I am likely attending a DO school and the potential effects of a merger, but I want to attend a school that will maximize my opportunities for these specialties and thrive most importantly. Thank you!

EDIT: I just got the R for KCU-COM, so it's really down to ATSU-KCOM and OU-HCOM.

 

[DrStephenStrange]

State schools are always gonna be the better choice. They almost always have more resources than any other DO schools, and on top of that they're also usually cheaper. Go OU-HCOM if you get in.

 

[tornado15]

Thanks for your response @DrStephenStrange. I will keep that in mind. Anyone else have any ideas?

 

[tornado15]

State schools are always gonna be the better choice. They almost always have more resources than any other DO schools, and on top of that they're also usually cheaper. Go OU-HCOM if you get in.

Just a quick question: how is it that state DO schools have more resources than schools like ATSU-KCOM? I'm simply curious. Thanks again

 

[DrStephenStrange]

Just a quick question: how is it that state DO schools have more resources than schools like ATSU-KCOM? I'm simply curious. Thanks again

State Funding
Research funding
State support for GME (residency programs).
Better rotation sites/ better clinical Ed.
All these on top culminates to better match list.

KCOM doesn't even come close to HCOM in these areas.

 

[DrStephenStrange]

For example this is the list of Residency programs sponsored by OU-HCOM:

Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine | Ohio University

www.ohio.edu

Add to that the list of GME parterns

Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine | Ohio University

www.ohio.edu

Now compare that to ATSU-KCOM's Still Opti programs:

Who We Are : STILL OPTI

www.stillopti.org

 

[Dr. Anonymouss]

KCOM 4 hours a week of OMM, OU 2 hours a week... Also the emphasis on primary care is irrelevant. Every DO schools has an "emphasis" on primary care, but if you have the scores you can specialize. I would choose OU hands down due to cheaper tuition, GME, research, less OMM, and state funding, and one of the most important is that it is <4 hours even if you went to Athens meanwhile KCOM is what >10 hours away from family.

 

[Dr panda]

Ohio

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

My top specialty is neuro/orthopedic surgery

Then go to an MD school. If you absolutely have no choice then go to OUHCOM and don't look back. They have access to multiple ortho programs.

but I want to attend a school that will maximize my opportunities for these specialties and thrive most importantly.

OUHCOM and it isn't even close.

Just a quick question: how is it that state DO schools have more resources than schools like ATSU-KCOM? I'm simply curious. Thanks again

State funding and GME.

tldr: go to OUHCOM.

 

[tornado15]

Thanks everyone for your input. I will attend my interview at OUHCOM as planned.

Then go to an MD school. If you absolutely have no choice then go to OUHCOM and don't look back. They have access to multiple ortho programs.

OUHCOM and it isn't even close.

State funding and GME.

tldr: go to OUHCOM.

I applied to MD schools this cycle with one II. This will be another topic for discussion once I get more IIs/get accepted. Thank you for your input!