I can't compare OCPM to other schools because I never went to the other schools. However,f I can tell you my opinion of OCPM.
Pros:
1. close knit community - even though we are one of the largest podiatry school, by the end of your first month or two, you will know everybody in your class. Because everybody is soo close to each other, we help each other out with review sheets, study aids and other study resources.
2. school building - our new location is AMAZING! While the building is old, we remodeled it before moving. Everything at the school is for us. We don't share with any other medical schools or anything. For example, in anatomy, we are responsible for dissecting the whole body ourselves, not just the foot.
3. new clinic - in the last few years, our clinic is becoming really busy so we are moving to a new space this summer so that we have more space for an orthotics lab and more exam rooms.
4. Faculty - they are friendly and always willing to help. Not only are we taught by employed OCPM staff, we have many guest speaker that come in and teach us. I have even had a DPM fly in from Atlanta to teach us one 2 hour lecture on internal fixation.
5. Student organization - we have a huge number of organizations representing various interests (surgery, diabetes, women podiatrist, sports med, etc.) that you can join. We also have some sports team (basketball, soccer, softball). And if you wanted to start a new club, you only need a few more people interested in it to start it.
6. Low cost of living
Cons:
1. from a student's prespectives, i think there are a few courses (biomechanics, surgery etc) that should have a lab associated with it that currently do not. When it comes to education, regardless of which school you go to, you are going to be taught the same information. I just went to my first externship and felt pretty well prepared.
2. not much clinic experience in your 1st and 2nd year. However, we do have an organization that holds a free clinic once a month that students can attend to gain more experience. Also, there are many many many DPMs in the area that are more than willing to let you shadow them.
3. its ohio!!! - at least thats a con according to the students from out of state but ohio is like any other state. It has its own pros and cons. If you are positive about this place, you will find things to do. If you are a nature lover, we have a lot of metro park with hiking, fishing etc. If you love amusement parks, we have Cedar point (home to some of the tallest and fastest roller coasters). If you are a food lover, we have a lot of great restaurants.
I know i didn't really give you any cons, but thats because any problems i have had at ocpm are similar to problems you would have at any school and not specific to OCPM only. I even had the same problems in undergrad. I hope this information helps you.