Post Classroom time at DMU vs CCOM

[indydrtobe]

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Hi, I am down to the wire in this debate and the voices in my head keep swaying me against whatever my current decision is...

Does anyone have any insight into the rotations and whatnot at these two schools?

I got a little scared by people saying that DMU can put you up to an hour away, not long enough to move there but you have to commute...is this true? Are all the match sites in Iowa? One thing I did like at KCOM was they matched out of state a lot...

If I am at CCOM and in Downers Grove, are all their match sites in the Chicago area? If I move there will be it for the full four years?

I really appreciate anyone's answers.

 

[dollarbill]

Hey, i just interviewed at ccom and this is what I got from the dean and other medical students. During the 3/4th year you have a number of core rotations that need to be done at a core site in the Chicago area. Growing up in the area it seems like all the sites are within 10-40min from downers however some expressways can take up to an hour of so if you go during peak times. Most 3/4 years tend to move to the city so public transportation is much more feasible. To get to ccom and suburban rotation sites you will need to have a car. Sometimes I get a feeling that a lot of people think ccom is right in Chicago. It's in a subs and public trans is limited. As far as electives those can be complete at any hospital of your choice I believe she said. Finally, you are allowed one international rotation as well.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

I am a first year at DMU so I don't know very well, but DMU does have year long rotation sites in Michigan, Ohio, and somewhere else I believe.

 

[Dirtyshadow]

I am also accepted to both schools but was interested in finding out about year 1 and 2, how the days are set up. Are the classes like 9-5? Is there a few tests every week? I'm trying to chose a school that would be more conducive to having a family . Every school seems to be different in the amount of hours spent on campus. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[FrkyBgStok]

I am also accepted to both schools but was interested in finding out about year 1 and 2, how the days are set up. Are the classes like 9-5? Is there a few tests every week? I'm trying to chose a school that would be more conducive to having a family . Every school seems to be different in the amount of hours spent on campus. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks

DMU records all of their lectures and puts them online within a couple hours. They also have a note taking service you can pay for. I am a father, a husband, and very active around the school and it makes it so much better. I have no idea how other schools are set up but one of the things i love most about DMU is the conducive atmosphere for being involved in my own life. CCOM doesn't record lectures i don't think.

 

[dollarbill]

I am also accepted to both schools but was interested in finding out about year 1 and 2, how the days are set up. Are the classes like 9-5? Is there a few tests every week? I'm trying to chose a school that would be more conducive to having a family . Every school seems to be different in the amount of hours spent on campus. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks

as far as ccom i can only speak from observation. i am in one of the master programs there and we take some of our core classes with ccom/ccp. first thing, midwestern is on the quarter system so we just got done with our first quarter before thanksgiving and started our next quarter this week. you can always go on to midwestern...click mwunet...there is a drop box where you can select block schedule for IL. i still believe they have the previous quarter as well as this quarter up. expect classes to go from 9-4/5ish m-f. besides the first week or two you can expect 2 tests a week min. there were rumors going around that they had 4-5 tests in one week last quarter. lectures can only be recorded personally if you get permission. and extensive note packets are made for every class. HOWEVER, i believe these classes are very doable. From my observation (A CURRENT MED STUDENT CAN CHIME IN HERE) it is not the material per say that is difficult to master, it is just the volume and pace at which you are required to master it that gets most incoming med students thrown off. As far as families go, many med students are engaged or married, with some having children. Just realize that the cost of living for a family in chicago area is going to be a little higher since things tend to be a little expensive. Ultimately, i think you are in a great position between deciding on these two schools and will likely not go wrong with either one. Good luck in your decision!

 

[JeetKuneDo]

Dollarbill summed it up pretty well. Classes are about 9-5 each day. Note packets are very good and make class attendance at times unnecessary. The 4-5 tests last quarter were not a rumor, that actually happened and was a terrible experience. Other than that, 1 maybe 2 tests on average per week is expected once you get past the first two weeks of the quarter.

 

[Kvothe]

I'm also curious about rotation sites for DMU...

 

[Dirtyshadow]

Regarding CCOM testing, do you feel that it is benificial to take more smaller tests or fewer larger tests? Being from Chicago land, I am leaning more towards ccom, but I wouldn't have a problem moving if it would be benificial for my family. Thanks for your answers so far. I can't get enough of it. If anyone has any more information about lifestyles at these two schools, please add it. Sorry if I hijacked the post OP, I just didn't want to make a new dmu vs ccom thread.

 

[A Nony Mouse]

Hey, i just interviewed at ccom and this is what I got from the dean and other medical students. During the 3/4th year you have a number of core rotations that need to be done at a core site in the Chicago area. Growing up in the area it seems like all the sites are within 10-40min from downers however some expressways can take up to an hour of so if you go during peak times. Most 3/4 years tend to move to the city so public transportation is much more feasible. To get to ccom and suburban rotation sites you will need to have a car. Sometimes I get a feeling that a lot of people think ccom is right in Chicago. It's in a subs and public trans is limited. As far as electives those can be complete at any hospital of your choice I believe she said. Finally, you are allowed one international rotation as well.

Elgin was also on the list of possible sites- That's probably 1 1/2 hours away.

 

[FirefighterDoc]

Elgin was also on the list of possible sites- That's probably 1 1/2 hours away.

That's with hooooorrrrible traffic. I mean winter snow everyone is driving 30 mph traffic. I would say that you can get to Sherman hospital or st joes ( both of the Elgin rotation sites) in anywhere from 35 min( in the early morning) to about an hour. I make that drive quite often, it's all highway driving and Sherman is right off the highway.



And also regarding the recording of lectures at CCOM, I believe they mentioned at my interview that they were looking into doing this for our upcoming class.

 

[chet]

Hi, I am down to the wire in this debate and the voices in my head keep swaying me against whatever my current decision is...

Does anyone have any insight into the rotations and whatnot at these two schools?

I got a little scared by people saying that DMU can put you up to an hour away, not long enough to move there but you have to commute...is this true? Are all the match sites in Iowa? One thing I did like at KCOM was they matched out of state a lot...

If I am at CCOM and in Downers Grove, are all their match sites in the Chicago area? If I move there will be it for the full four years?

I really appreciate anyone's answers.

Third year at CCOM here, I didn't read the whole thread so sorry if this is repetitive.

CCOM doesn't have "match sites" like where you get assigned to a certain area or hospital and stay there. We have a lottery for certain tracks which just dictates which months you'll be doing your various core rotations, for third year everyone does the same rotations with exception of 1 elective month.

That said, most people move to the city after second year, I did not, I stayed out in the burbs. The reason most people move to the city is a mixture of a central location being closer to most sites, but definitely not all, and just a preference for living in the city.

We have a core hospital which is about 40mi south of campus, which also about 40mi south of the city, and about 40mi away from anywhere you'd ever want to live, a lot of people do a lot of various rotations there so I'd say regardless of wether you move to the city or not your gonna be driving a lot 3rd/4th year in a lot of bad traffic, some more than others but everyone deals with it at one time or another.

Regarding time outside of class during 1st/2nd year, there really isn't too much of it. Things have changed a bit since I was in class, so someone can correct me if its different now but your not gonna get much help as far as recorded lectures, or note taking services. Its a very old school mentality here and I'd take any promises of future recorded lectures with a lot of skepticism. If you have a family or are looking for more of an independent setup 1st/2nd year you may want to consider the demanding schedule over here.

Overall though, just go to the cheaper school, you'll thank yourself later.

 

[Osteoblaster]

And also regarding the recording of lectures at CCOM, I believe they mentioned at my interview that they were looking into doing this for our upcoming class.

God I hope they start recording lectures at this school next year.. 1/3 of my classes in undergrad are recorded.. its soo convenient. If i wasn't a big city guy i probably would have chose dmu over ccom for next yr.

 

[phikapdoctor]

Is DMU p/f?


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[michow87]

Is DMU p/f?


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No, classes utilize the letter grading system

 

[phikapdoctor]

Much obliged.


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