OUHCOM v. WesternU COMP Northwest

[High_protein_diet]

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Hello SDN,
I've been fortunate to go 4/4 for school acceptances and have narrowed my choices to two contenders, OUHCOM and WesternU. I'd like to know pros/cons of the schools.

As for me, I'm an Ohio resident non trad student (mid twenties), a big family person and I like to travel.

WesternU:
I Thought Lebanon Oregon was incredibly beautiful and had tons of stuff to do for someone who loves the outdoors. (I am one such person 🙂).

Cost is high but applying HPSP which would mean cost is not an issue.

Students there were awesome! You guys seriously rocked. It had a real sense of family and the class seemed very cohesive. The experience felt like it would be an adventure, which is what I signed up for as a non trad student who went back into med.

Clerk ships seemed well organized and professors/dean were awesome.

OUHCOM:
Also awesome students! In state school, closer to friends and family (but do have friends in Portland Oregon and family expressed interest in moving out there).

Cheaper cost if no HPSP

Affiliation with Cleveland clinic

Grant funded Clinic to see actual patients starting first year

Other thoughts:
Housing costs roughly equal at both schools

Great, friendly environment at both schools

I am very interested in OMM but know very little about it. Is this a big focus at OUHCOM or at WesternU?

What are your favorite things about OUHCOM? Least favorite?

What do you like most about WesternU? What do you like least?

Thanks and Happy Holidays.

 

[MetricSystem]

Well if you don't want to stay in Ohio for 5(?) years after school, then not OUHCOM.

Or is it after residency? w/e. it was on the secondary.

 

[breezy124]

inb4 someone says OUHCOM bc of close family and costs (if there's not HPSP)

Also inb4 someone says add to that: "it's a no brainer, OUHCOM"

 

[ananasmed]

Well if you don't want to stay in Ohio for 5(?) years after school, then not OUHCOM.

Or is it after residency? w/e. it was on the secondary.

Does not apply to in state students.

 

[user3]

OUHCOM

 

[chizledfrmstone]

You got a lot of opinions in the OUHCOM vs. KCUMB thread. A majority of people stated valid reasons on why to pick OUHCOM.

If that wasn't enough then I think you should probably go to LUCOM.

 

[breezy124]

OUHCOM

reasoning?

 

[Deranged Medic]

Great things are happening at OU-HCOM, and I was very impressed after my interview there. I turned down my interview at WesternU once I was accepted to OU-HCOM, but that was mainly due to the differences in tuition and travel costs. The dual curriculum and multiple program offerings are great aspects of OU; the only thing I didn't like was splitting up the class throughout the state for years 3-4.

 

[Eppur Si Muove]

I'm a big fan of OUHCOM; they are planning big things ahead and are building bridges with top notch hospitals like the Cleveland Clinic. Really can't go wrong with them. They have awesome faculty too.

 

[DoctorKrieger]

Only you can make this decision, but I'll hit on a couple of your points: no matter where you go, it will be an adventure; and being able to 'see patients' as an MS1 is just crazy--at that point you have absolutely nothing to offer actual patients unless it's some kind of OMM clinic.

 

[AlbinoHawk DO]

WesternU-NW might as well be a toilet. We have yet to have a single faculty member coming from there that knows how to teach.

 

[High_protein_diet]

Great things are happening at OU-HCOM, and I was very impressed after my interview there. I turned down my interview at WesternU once I was accepted to OU-HCOM, but that was mainly due to the differences in tuition and travel costs. The dual curriculum and multiple program offerings are great aspects of OU; the only thing I didn't like was splitting up the class throughout the state for years 3-4.

Right. That makes sense since the cost is much higher at western. But there's something to be said for location and Oregon is beautiful. Athens is ok but there's no coast, mountain biking/trails, great running trails, skiing and all of that.

I agree, great things are happening at OUHCOM, but part of me wants to go someplace new, which is pushing me towards WesternU...additionally someone posted that Cleveland clinic clerk ships would first go to those at the Cleveland campus. If that's true, it certainly weakens that benefit.

 

[Eppur Si Muove]

Right. That makes sense since the cost is much higher at western. But there's something to be said for location and Oregon is beautiful. Athens is ok but there's no coast, mountain biking/trails, great running trails, skiing and all of that.

I agree, great things are happening at OUHCOM, but part of me wants to go someplace new, which is pushing me towards WesternU...additionally someone posted that Cleveland clinic clerk ships would first go to those at the Cleveland campus. If that's true, it certainly weakens that benefit.

I am not sure exactly how it will work but I have heard that Athens students will get chances to rotate at the Clinic and get their foot in the door for Cleveland Clinic connections. A chance to rotate there and possibly meet some faculty in your desired field could pay dividends for residencies. I know an OUHCOM grad who did his orthopedic residency at the Clinic and they hired him right after completion; can't really beat that.

 

[AlteredScale]

Right. That makes sense since the cost is much higher at western. But there's something to be said for location and Oregon is beautiful. Athens is ok but there's no coast, mountain biking/trails, great running trails, skiing and all of that.

I agree, great things are happening at OUHCOM, but part of me wants to go someplace new, which is pushing me towards WesternU...additionally someone posted that Cleveland clinic clerk ships would first go to those at the Cleveland campus. If that's true, it certainly weakens that benefit.

There are only 50 students at the Cleveland Campus. I really doubt anyone at the Athens campus will be hindered by that for the next two years. The best thing you can do is call admissions at OUHCOM and ask them about it directly so that you get the most accurately.

I have a close colleague who is an OMS-3 at OUHCOM in Athens who has given me a run down of the school. From my analysis the resources and opportunities they provide seem a bit better than COMP-NW. But I won't step too hard on that statement since I don't know much about the strengths of COMP-NW.

Around half of OUHCOM's grads went into primary care, and half stayed in OUHCOM (https://prezi.com/m32lrvouizd8/ou-hcom-match-data/). That is a huge part of their mission.

The whole "coast, mountain trails, and skiing" stuff is great without a doubt, environment is important to good learning...but will you really have time to make use of all that while in med school? Idk IMO I want the things that will give me the most competitive edge to getting into the residency of my choice.

Should have to consider that if you are OOS at OUHCOM then you will have a 5-year contract with them to serve in Ohio.

 

[Deranged Medic]

From what I remember from my OU-HCOM interview, the students who go to Cleveland for years 1-2 stay in Cleveland for years 3-4, and those who are at Dublin for years 1-2 stay in Dublin for years 3-4. The students who do years 1-2 at Athens are placed into a lottery to decide where they will spend years 3-4. According to Dr. Schriner, most of the students get one of their top picks. I have a friend who is in the rural program track, and due to being in the program, I believe he can avoid the lottery and pick where he wants to spend years 3-4. You could always solidify your shot at going to Cleveland by partaking in this program.