OU vs. LECOM-FL

[Colleen]

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I'm trying to compare the pros and cons of OU and LECOM Florida. I was hoping some of you could help. I think I want to go to Florida b/c
1. bigger change, I go to Ohio State and I'm ready for a change from a university, although OU is a lot smaller
2. WEATHER
3. 100% chance of doing PBL
4. More clerkships and at a variety of places

On the other hand OU...
1. great reputation
2. resources and opportunities, for ex. since it is a university and trips like Ecuador
3. close housing and social scene
I know it seems like I'm leaning toward Fl but #1 and #2 are huge benefits of OU.

Please, anyone who would like to help me, I would greatly appreciate it. (I have to decide by Dec. 10.)
thanks

 

[gboom22]

Isn't Lecom florida not accredited yet? That really scares me personally. I know that the school is most definitely going to get accredited but at least with OU you know you have their residency record and they are accredited. I would think that it would be easier to get better residencies from a more established school like OU. I really like everything about LECOM-FL but I am a little scared about this fact.

 

[JohnDO]

They're provisionally accredited I believe. No school can get fully accredited till they graduate their first class.

 

[Old_Mil]

Colleen,

While weather may be an excellent reason to chose a vacation destination, I'd think long and hard about making it a basis upon which to make a decision that will affect the rest of your professional life - and possibly personal life.

As far as 100% PBL goes...It sounds like one of those things that you're glad to be doing while you're doing it but might end up wondering "why the heck did I do this to myself?" when you square up against the COMLEX/USMLE.

Ten years from now, we may look back at all the questions surrounding LECOM-B and say "it wasn't a big deal after all". Then again, we might not. In either case, I wouldn't want to be the lab rat that was part of that experiment.

 

[robo77]

They are fully accredited. I sent an email to the director of admissions and was told that because LECOM in Pa already graduated the class, LECOM in Fl also gets full accreditation. Here is that email:

No, LECOM Bradenton is fully accredited. That person was incorrect. Typically a school needs to graduate their first class to become fully accredited, but because Bradenton is a LECOM (our first class graduated in 1997) school, then it falls under complete accreditation. We are accredited through Middle States. Thank you for clarifying and squashing that rumor.

 

[DocRadak]

As far as 100% PBL goes...It sounds like one of those things that you're glad to be doing while you're doing it but might end up wondering "why the heck did I do this to myself?" when you square up against the COMLEX/USMLE.

You should take a look at the board pass rate for the PBL students up in Erie!!! They do, on average, score higher than their lecture-dependent and independent study counterparts, always. I am a PBL student at LECOM-B and have total confidence that the program I'm in will fully prepare me for the boards, as well as giving me a jump-start on the clinical aspect of medicine.

To the original post, its a tough decision. I'll tell you my experience so far has not made me question my choice to attend LECOM-B once; and I doubt that it will. But the decision is all yours, so good luck and hopefully we'll see you down here next year.

 

[DORoe]

I'm trying to compare the pros and cons of OU and LECOM Florida. I was hoping some of you could help. I think I want to go to Florida b/c
1. bigger change, I go to Ohio State and I'm ready for a change from a university, although OU is a lot smaller
2. WEATHER
3. 100% chance of doing PBL
4. More clerkships and at a variety of places

On the other hand OU...
1. great reputation
2. resources and opportunities, for ex. since it is a university and trips like Ecuador
3. close housing and social scene
I know it seems like I'm leaning toward Fl but #1 and #2 are huge benefits of OU.

Please, anyone who would like to help me, I would greatly appreciate it. (I have to decide by Dec. 10.)
thanks

Go where your heart tells you to go. I go to OUCOM and am in the PCC (our PBL track) and can tell you that pretty much whoever applies will get in. I think there was only one person that I know of that wanted PCC and did not get it at first, but is now part of our curricular track. I love it here at OUCOM, but I have heard nothing but good things about LECOM-Fl. If you are curious about OUCOM feel free to PM me with any questions. I know it is sometimes hard to get information b/c there are so few of us Bobcats here on SDN. In addition to Ecuador there is also the Share Kenya project as well as the opportunity to study traditional Chinese medicine in China.

 

[kahoo99]

nice to see some vonnegisms
I've been accepted to OUCOM and i'm still not sure where i'll attend

 

[DORoe]

nice to see some vonnegisms
I've been accepted to OUCOM and i'm still not sure where i'll attend

Vonnegut's wit and humor is amazing. Where else are you investigating? I'm sure I can tell you why OUCOM is better than that school 😉

 

[kahoo99]

COMP, DMU, UNECOM, and OUCOM
I've already let NJ go
so have at me and so on.

 

[eldarion3141]

I'm trying to compare the pros and cons of OU and LECOM Florida. I was hoping some of you could help. I think I want to go to Florida b/c
1. bigger change, I go to Ohio State and I'm ready for a change from a university, although OU is a lot smaller
2. WEATHER
3. 100% chance of doing PBL
4. More clerkships and at a variety of places

On the other hand OU...
1. great reputation
2. resources and opportunities, for ex. since it is a university and trips like Ecuador
3. close housing and social scene
I know it seems like I'm leaning toward Fl but #1 and #2 are huge benefits of OU.

Please, anyone who would like to help me, I would greatly appreciate it. (I have to decide by Dec. 10.)
thanks

Have you also taken into consideration that you have to sign a contract with OU that forces you to stay in Ohio and practice?

 

[Nate]

She goes to Ohio State so she probably is an Ohio resident or can obtain it. In that case the contract would not apply to her since it is only for out-of-state applicants. If I were an Ohio resident OU would be right on top of my list.

 

[DORoe]

COMP, DMU, UNECOM, and OUCOM
I've already let NJ go
so have at me and so on.

LOL all of these are very fine schools. If you are an Ohio resident you have to look at three numbers

#1: $72,060- 4 years at OUCOM
#2: $116,200- 4 Years at DMU
#3: $132,920- 4 years at COMP

That's really all I can say about the other schools because I have heard great things about both of them. All I can say for sure is that here at OUCOM we have the most helpful and caring administration that I have had the pleasure of knowing, great facilities, a wide variety of resources (associated with the University itself), and most of all I am here. 😉

 

[Gregory Gulick]

Go where you think you are going to be the happiest. Medical school is exhausting, so if your personal life is good, that can help you survive in your academic life.

I'm an internal medicine resident, and I don't know where half of my fellow residents went to medical school. And I don't really care. It has been said many times and it remains true: you will get out what you put in. And that goes for any medical school.

 

[speedracer9376]

I think DOroe is right. While any medical school is a good school...you must take into consideration finances and the opportunies available in clinical rotations. I, too, was considering applying to schools in Florida for the same reasons as the initiator of this thread. However, a student at NOVA told me that I should not make a decision based on weather. He told me that the CORE was awesome and offered more freedom with electives than his school did. Plus, there are more residencies affiliated with OUCOM than NOVA. He basically said he made a mistake tring to go to school in Florida and wished he stated in OHIO.

I am biased though because I start my first year at OUCOM in 2005. You may find yourself having to jump through more hoops as a student at LECOM. I know for sure that you have to set up on your own clinical rotations at DMU. What a nightmare!?! I didn't want to deal with that mess... (no offense if you attend DMU) On the flip side, a lot of people from DMU rotate in CORE hospitals. My advice to everyone trying to make a decision on where to go is to do research and look at all angles and how much money would be saved because you will be broke when you start school. You want to go where you feel you are getting the best education possible. This is just my 2 cents...

 

[Doctortobee]

I'm at LECOM and I'm doing all my rotations at CORE hospitals...

 

[HoodyHoo]

I'm trying to compare the pros and cons of OU and LECOM Florida. I was hoping some of you could help. I think I want to go to Florida b/c
1. bigger change, I go to Ohio State and I'm ready for a change from a university, although OU is a lot smaller
2. WEATHER
3. 100% chance of doing PBL
4. More clerkships and at a variety of places

On the other hand OU...
1. great reputation
2. resources and opportunities, for ex. since it is a university and trips like Ecuador
3. close housing and social scene
I know it seems like I'm leaning toward Fl but #1 and #2 are huge benefits of OU.

Please, anyone who would like to help me, I would greatly appreciate it. (I have to decide by Dec. 10.)
thanks

Did you apply to Nova??....there you have the weather and the reputation......at least in florida their reputation much better known than lecom-B. Actually our clinical program has a better reputation than even university of miami according to many residency programs.

 

[Colleen]

Thanks so much for all of you who replied. Everyone's imput has given me a lot to think about that has made me realize what is the most important when choising the best school for me.
I know all the schools we will end of going to will give us a great education. We have to put ourselves in the setting and program that will best be able to obtain it. (; I'll let you know when I make a final decision😉

(No, I didn't end up sending my secondary to NOVA, only b/c I'm really interested in the PBL track.)

thanks again,
colleen

 

[mickdogg81]

It has been said many times and it remains true: you will get out what you put in. And that goes for any medical school.[/QUOTE]


Once again, a point worth saying over and over again..... 👍

 

[DeChellD]

I'ma M1 at LECOM-B and think it's a tremendous program. The faculty really supports the students and is sick at relaying the material on a level the students can understand it. As for the PBL portion of it (which we just started to get into full time now that our 10 week anatomy course is over), you couldn't ask for a better program. The profs and docs that lead the PBL groups are as professional as they come. My facilitator ( 20+year cardiologist) drops bits of information about clinical stuff that you couldn't dream of getting from a lecture based pathway. This is just my two cents and can only speak for myself and LECOM-B. However my boy (M1) that goes to OU-COM and is in the lecture based pathway is really frustrated with the program and has some serious beef with the way some things are run up there. But thats only one person's perspective. Everyone got their biases and opinions. Oh jeah, just to let ya know...it was about 80 and sunny down here on the beach today.hahahaha

 

[mickdogg81]

I'ma M1 at LECOM-B and think it's a tremendous program. The faculty really supports the students and is sick at relaying the material on a level the students can understand it. As for the PBL portion of it (which we just started to get into full time now that our 10 week anatomy course is over), you couldn't ask for a better program. The profs and docs that lead the PBL groups are as professional as they come. My facilitator ( 20+year cardiologist) drops bits of information about clinical stuff that you couldn't dream of getting from a lecture based pathway. This is just my two cents and can only speak for myself and LECOM-B. However my boy (M1) that goes to OU-COM and is in the lecture based pathway is really frustrated with the program and has some serious beef with the way some things are run up there. But thats only one person's perspective. Everyone got their biases and opinions. Oh jeah, just to let ya know...it was about 80 and sunny down here on the beach today.hahahaha

DeChellD-yep, can't beat the sun, beaches, amongst other things in FL....
Did you say channelside?!??! 😎

 

[HoodyHoo]

I'ma M1 at LECOM-B and think it's a tremendous program. The faculty really supports the students and is sick at relaying the material on a level the students can understand it. As for the PBL portion of it (which we just started to get into full time now that our 10 week anatomy course is over), you couldn't ask for a better program. The profs and docs that lead the PBL groups are as professional as they come. My facilitator ( 20+year cardiologist) drops bits of information about clinical stuff that you couldn't dream of getting from a lecture based pathway. This is just my two cents and can only speak for myself and LECOM-B. However my boy (M1) that goes to OU-COM and is in the lecture based pathway is really frustrated with the program and has some serious beef with the way some things are run up there. But thats only one person's perspective. Everyone got their biases and opinions. Oh jeah, just to let ya know...it was about 80 and sunny down here on the beach today.hahahaha

i always wondered what PBL would be like because I am sick and tired of lectures from 8-5 each day......however, depending on the professor, we get many clinical correlations so you can't really say we don't get the clinical stuff out of lecture, it is incorporated into everything, it has to be.