PCOM-GA vs KCU vs PCOM

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Which School?

  • PCOM-GA

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • KCU

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • PCOM

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    0

ADumbMan

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  1. Pre-Medical
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I happen to be in a very fortunate situation of having multiple acceptances from interviews later into the cycle. I'd love input on career prospects, student culture, etc. Relevant context:
  • I still don’t have a great idea of what makes a “good” DO school and what will help set me up for success
  • I don't know how to judge the quality of a school's rotation sites
  • I am interested in some sort of surgical specialty but I am not settled on what exactly.
  • I am married and live in GA, my in-laws are also in GA.
  • I have interviewed with PCOM Philly and feel good about my chances.
  • I am leaning towards KCU over PCOM-GA, but I'm unsure if I'm missing some key bit of detail
  • If I get an acceptance from PCOM, I have no clue how to pick between KCU and PCOM.

PCOM-GA
Pros
  • I know people that are DO students there
  • Proximity to Family
  • Potential grandfathering with federal Grad Plus loans
  • In a city where my wife can easily find professional work
  • Faculty seem to care about students being successful and matching well
  • Seems like there is solid matching into the South East region
  • I can maintain contact with my current research job at Emory
  • Lectures non-mandatory
Cons
  • I know people that are DO students there
  • Proximity to Family
  • Graded
  • Choppy COMLEX performance for the last three classes (<90% in either Level I or Level II)
  • The school also tracks STEP 1 & 2 performance under the table, STEP 2 scores for this last year were well below national average for pass rate and score
  • Very difficult to get research

KCU
Pros
  • Good BBQ
  • Solid reputation but not sure how it stacks up against PCOM
  • Has a real research building with basic sciences staff that are doing research
  • The lightest emphasis on OMM of any DO school I've seen
  • A brand new building for classes
  • It felt like a real campus and I really liked the students I talked to.
  • In house residency programs but it seems like there are in less competitive specialties than PCOM
  • Pass/Fail
Cons
  • In a city where my wife can't easily find work in her field
  • Most expensive option
  • Fewer academic centers nearby when compared to PCOM-GA & PCOM
  • I'm very unfamiliar with the Midwest and the career opportunities in the region

PCOM
Pros
  • Well established/strong reputation
  • In a city where my wife can easily find professional work
  • I know people that are students in PA medical schools
  • strong match list with home residency programs in competitive specialties and in house residency programs
  • Lots of research opportunities from other medical schools in the area
  • Potential grandfathering with federal Grad Plus loans
Cons
  • Graded
  • Choppy COMLEX performance for the last three classes, but not as bad as GA
  • The most expensive cost of living

TLDR:
I am leaning towards KCU but if I get an acceptance back from PCOM I am unsure of what to do. I don't really know how to judge which school has the better clinical rotation sites and residency connections. I also don't know which school has the better reputation. Please help my wife wants to know if we're moving and she scares me.
 
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