PCOM or LECOM?

[osteo564]

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Hey there everyone!

I was hoping somebody could help me with this question. I currently have acceptances at both LECOM and PCOM and am torn between the two. I am a PA resident and these were the schools I really wanted to get in to. I prefer LECOM's rural-ish setting and fact that it doesnt seem to be as "sink or swim" as PCOM. But, I feel like PCOM has a much better reputation and academic program than does LECOM. Eventually, I want to practice Emergency Medicine and was wondering if going to LECOM would have any negative effects on that goal whereas PCOM would not. I realize that PCOM is, objectively, ranked higher than LECOM (if D.O. schools were actually ranked) and so I can't decide if being more comfortable at LECOM is worth passing up a PCOM education.

Thanks in advance for all of your help! 🙂

 

[mx_599]

Hey there everyone!

I was hoping somebody could help me with this question. I currently have acceptances at both LECOM and PCOM and am torn between the two. I am a PA resident and these were the schools I really wanted to get in to. I prefer LECOM's rural-ish setting and fact that it doesnt seem to be as "sink or swim" as PCOM. But, I feel like PCOM has a much better reputation and academic program than does LECOM. Eventually, I want to practice Emergency Medicine and was wondering if going to LECOM would have any negative effects on that goal whereas PCOM would not. I realize that PCOM is, objectively, ranked higher than LECOM (if D.O. schools were actually ranked) and so I can't decide if being more comfortable at LECOM is worth passing up a PCOM education.

Thanks in advance for all of your help! 🙂

LECOM- Bradenton

soak up the rays and enjoy the sights 😀

 

[shenningdo]

Take advice from someone who has had 11 addresses in 23 years, attendended one grade school, two middle schools, three high schools, one college, and one graduate school between NY, CA, IN, and NJ. Go where you can make a home, a comfortable home, for at least the first two years, may-be even all four. Where you go to medical school, in the end, is not that big a deal, especially if you are miserable. You will not retain the information, enjoy making friends, or live contently in an area you are not happy. If you want the great ties PCOM has while still going to LECOM, then do your best at LECOM and become competitive for rotations in the Philadelphia area. Emergency Medicine gains its strength from the city it is in, not the school you receive your education from. Also, Emergency Medicine does not always mean gsws, stabbings, etc. It could also include car accidents, farm equipment accidents, and rural accidents.

I attend graduate school in NJ right now, and I am miserable. I don't like the school, my fellow students, or the area. I have not learned anything that is worthwhile, and I am counting the days until medical school. However, it has made me more aware of what should/should not be contained within the area I want to go to school and the particular school.

One last piece of advice... the person who graduates last in his/her class from the lowest ranked medical school is still a doctor when he/she graduates.

Go to LECOM, if that is where you are happiest.

 

[JonnyG]

PCOM is not sink or swim. Everyone here is pretty helpful. As for emergency medicine you would have a better oppurtunity to see things rotating through the Philadelphia area versus Erie. City emergency rooms attract more problems. Granted the cost of living is much better in Erie.

 

[I heart Biology]

I am in a similar situation with those two schools, but I have the advantage of attending a school less than half a mile from PCOM. After visiting both schools I have realized that for me the weather and location of LECOM are not ideal. I think it all comes down to where you felt more comfortable when interviewing. I am just partial to PCOM because I love the location and I have visited the school more often. You have to go with what your instincts are about the schools

 

[osteo564]

Thanks everyone for the help. It's hard to convey exactly what I'm thinking by posting it online, but I certainly didn't mean to slight LECOM with regards to its "ranking." Maybe what would make more sense is to say that PCOM has a large alumni base, extensive connections etc. and because LECOM is relatively new, it is just beginning to build these things. I don't doubt that in 50 years LECOM will have a solid reputation like PCOM has currently, but the fact is that a lot of hospitals and doctors already know PCOM graduates will perform a certain way due to their history. Because LECOM's repuatation isn't quite as strong outside of Western PA, would going to PCOM provide me with more opportunites?

I'm not convinced at this point that which D.O. school I choose will make much of a difference in the first two years. After all, everyone takes the COMLEX I at the same time and if LECOM and PCOM both have good pass rates, then I'm not too concerned. I also don't mind where I go to school in the sense that my patients and colleauges will have too much on their minds in the E.R. to even ask me. I just want to make sure that LECOM will provide me with the same types of opportunities after the first two years so that I can end up the best D.O. possible.

Thanks again to everyone and I always appreciate more help.

 

[atrovariousg]

LECOM- Bradenton

soak up the rays and enjoy the sights 😀

Lyrics The Metro

 

[ArcherM2]

LECOM's "rank" is on the rise. OH YEAH!

 

[billiam]

LECOM's "rank" is on the rise. OH YEAH!

How's it going out there in LECOM, Mike? We just finished our first trimester and it's great to be done with finals, but I'm going to miss anatomy lab.

As for the OP's question, go where you felt more comfortable. If you feel better wherever you're located, you'll do better academically, and you'll be better off for 3rd year and beyond. Good luck and realize that you're in an enviable position.

 

[hermione]

I would say if not the majority, then many, LECOM students, don't do our rotations in Erie. You can go to Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Buffalo, NYC, etc. So being in Erie won't limit your exposure to ER at level one trauma centers all over the place. Keep that in mind, as well.

 

[sddoc]

I would have to agree with hermione... although LECOM has a reputation for being a little inflexible (read: dress code, attendance policy) the rotation system is very flexible. I'm an MS 4 from LECOM rotating in Indianapolis with a number of IU med students, and I get the impression that they are sometimes less happy in their rotations than my classmates are with ours.

BTW - How are things going hermione? 7 months, 5 days, 20 hours, and 46 minutes to go! 😱 😀

 

[FlyDoc]

One of the great things about LECOM is that you are able to do rotations nearly anywhere during 3rd and 4th years. I have not had any problems with the LECOM education that I received. I have been extremely competitive on my clinical rotations... If you work hard you will do well wherever you go.

As for ER, the location of your school has absolutely zero bearing when it comes to being accepted to residencies. If you want to practice at a specific hospital, rotate there during your 3rd and 4th years...

No residency director will fault you for choosing one school over the other..

 

[prefontaine]

Unfortunately, this is not true.

No residency director will fault you for choosing one school over the other..

 

[DRSTEPHI27]

Hey, let me help you out a bit. Im a third year from LECOM and going for Emergency medicine. Lecom has affiliations not just in erie....but Michigan, Ohio, philly, pitt, florida, etc....so your options are not limited. I am rotating through a hospital in michigan that has ties to Detroit Receiving hospital...one of the best EM programs in the country...there is a good chance ill be able to rotate their as an ms4. Also...im gonna start my first em rotation next month...which is pretty unheard of as a third year, at Botsford hospital in mich (one of erie's affiliations and has a great rep as well for ER- they take about 10-12 DO students for their ER program every year). i can't say anything about PCOM...cause i dont know enough...but i am very happy with my choice of attneding lecom. i am a michigan resident which is why im back doing my rotations here...but there are tons of choices if you are a Pa resident for ER rotations. Good luck.

 

[osteo564]

Can anyone from LECOM tell me about Erie? I spent the day driving through the city today and didn't really find too much to do...but maybe that was because I didn't know where to look. What is there to do when you have that rare down time? Are there places to live that aren't quite as crowded as Peach St.? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[osteo564]

I'm SURE this has been answered in the forum many times but I just need to hear it from someone directly:

Is it possible to send in two deposits by Dec. 15 and then decide over the holiday break? Even though the deposits (to the schools I am sending $ to) are non-refundable, can I eventually withdraw from one of the schools before the 2nd deposit is due??? If this is the case, all I will lose is one of the deposits right? No AACOM rules against that???

Thanks!!! (December 15 is right around the corner so any help would be AWESOME)