Question about RVUCOM

[uniquerabbit]

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Hey guys, quick question that may be more appropriate in the school specific discussions, but I feel it may generate more hits here.

I just got an invite from RVUCOM, but I am now having second thoughts. I did more research about the school and I am worried about their non/pre accredited status and the fact that they are a for-profit institution. I doubt I would be able to use any federal loan money to help finance my education there.

My question is...since it is such a new school, is it a "good" school? Should I just drop my interview? I know I should have researched more prior to applying, that was my fault.

ANY insight into this school and its reputation would be fantastic. Or not 🙂.


Thanks all!

 

[cliffhuxtableDO]

use the search function. we don't need another drama filled thread about rvu.

 

[uniquerabbit]

use the search function. we don't need another drama filled thread about rvu.

I apologize. I didn't know it was surrounded by such controversy. I will search, and likely drop my interview.

 

[cliffhuxtableDO]

no worries. i didn't mean to attack you if that is how you took it. sorry.

 

[Dr Yiot]

drop your interview? youve got to be kidding. No body is going to ask where you went to medical school in the future. I'm sure that RVU will graduate competent doctors. If I had an interview from there I would be on cloud nine. Unless you have an acceptance in hand then I would go and be priveledged to get that interview....Sorry but just think about how many people don't get interviews at all that are competetive applicants.

 

[sedaniel]

drop your interview? youve got to be kidding. No body is going to ask where you went to medical school in the future. I'm sure that RVU will graduate competent doctors. If I had an interview from there I would be on cloud nine. Unless you have an acceptance in hand then I would go and be priveledged to get that interview....Sorry but just think about how many people don't get interviews at all that are competetive applicants.

Agreed. And you might love it there. (I already love Colorado 😀 ).

 

[uniquerabbit]

Agreed. And you might love it there. (I already love Colorado 😀 ).

Yes, I may like it there..I am mainly worried about the financial situation I could be getting myself into. Mommy and daddy aren't paying for my school, nor will the federal government for that matter.
Looks like I may have to research alternative financing options.

That being said, the reputation of the school is low on my priority list and I am sure it is just as "worthy" as other schools, however, I wish it was established sooner so I knew more statistics regarding graduates.

Even you would hesitate going to a school that has not been accredited yet and only established 4 years ago. Seriously...

 

[Dr Yiot]

I wouldnt hesitate at all if I was offered an interview and loved the school. Plenty of people choose newer schools over older more established schools cause they like those schools better. Hell, look at LECOM's match lists from thier first few years as a school. pretty impressive if you ask me.

 

[crazynate]

i would have loved to apply and have the possibility of living in colorado, but alas I don't have a DO letter.

 

[uniquerabbit]

i would have loved to apply and have the possibility of living in colorado, alas I don't have a DO letter.

Dude, neither did I...but I did have some exceptional MD letters. And I am from MT, don't know if that makes a difference.

Apply anyway and see what happens. You might just take my interview spot! 🙂

 

[boone95]

Yes, I may like it there..I am mainly worried about the financial situation I could be getting myself into. Mommy and daddy aren't paying for my school, nor will the federal government for that matter.
Looks like I may have to research alternative financing options.

That being said, the reputation of the school is low on my priority list and I am sure it is just as "worthy" as other schools, however, I wish it was established sooner so I knew more statistics regarding graduates.

Even you would hesitate going to a school that has not been accredited yet and only established 4 years ago. Seriously...

Sounds like you haven't researched the financial aid situation. There's 450 of us right now whose mommies and daddies aren't paying for us either. It is darn near the same interest rate as a federal loan (the only thing is there are no Staffords).

You're right about reputation, because there isn't one yet. We'll get boards stats in a couple months or so.

It is as accredited as a new school can possibly get.

But if you feel you can't be comfortable there, then that's where the personal choice comes in. You've just got to do what will make you feel good about your choice. If you want more opinions, there are many more on SDN about this. Good luck with the applications-

 

[MightyMoose]

Sounds like you haven't researched the financial aid situation. There's 450 of us right now whose mommies and daddies aren't paying for us either. It is darn near the same interest rate as a federal loan (the only thing is there are no Staffords).

You're right about reputation, because there isn't one yet. We'll get boards stats in a couple months or so.

It is as accredited as a new school can possibly get.

But if you feel you can't be comfortable there, then that's where the personal choice comes in. You've just got to do what will make you feel good about your choice. If you want more opinions, there are many more on SDN about this. Good luck with the applications-

I agree with this completely. They are giving private loans at close federal interest rates, if that's not a good deal for a new school I don't know what is. They don't have any choice as to whether you get federal loans or not, but the things that are within their power they are doing a good job (in my opinion) of making your education financially manageable.

Also, you should be able to obtain federal loan dollars after you first year in school.

As far as your interview goes, I can't see why you would even consider declining an interview anywhere without an acceptance... Craziness.

 

[traitorman]

I apologize. I didn't know it was surrounded by such controversy. I will search, and likely drop my interview.

i was also feeling iffy about this school but if i got an interview, i would go. id rather have the option of being accepted than not.

i was placed on hold by the way

 

[uniquerabbit]

i was also feeling iffy about this school but if i got an interview, i would go. id rather have the option of being accepted than not.

i was placed on hold by the way

I would interview there if I lived closer, but I don't want to spend a fortune on a flight and hotel for a school I am not sure about. Thanks everybody for all of your input!

 

[wolverinepwns]

HERE'S SOME SIMPLE FACTS:

1) Do the interview and if you get into multiple places then don't go there, but if you don't get anywhere else then you at least have that option!

2) Most doctors will be in tons of subsidized and unsubsidized loans! its a fact of life! unless you parents are rich as hell or you've won the lottery! MONEY SHOULD NEVER BE THE REASON YOU PASS UP ON AN OPPURTUNITY THAT CAN DETERMINE YOUR FUTURE!

3) Unless your stats are amazing and you know you're getting multiple interviews (even then) GO TO THE INTERVIEW! FOR EXPERIENCE IF NOT ANYTHING ELSE!

4) Every school starts at some point with a provisional accredition, and most go to become fully accredited (so i wouldn't worry about that), if anything THEY HAVE MORE TO LOSE RIGHT NOW SO THEY WILL TRY EXTRA HARD TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR STUDENTS TO MAKE A BETTER REPUTATION!

5) GO TO YOUR INTERVIEW!

thats my two cents!

 

[JW08]

I don't know if anyone realize that Military is paying to go to RVU. If accreditation or for-profit was an issue, I don't think Military would have paid tuition.

 

[HomeboyAwesome]

I don't know if anyone realize that Military is paying to go to RVU. If accreditation or for-profit was an issue, I don't think Military would have paid tuition.

I think that is an excellent point. Thanks JW08.

 

[Instatewaiter]

HERE'S SOME SIMPLE FACTS:

1) Do the interview and if you get into multiple places then don't go there, but if you don't get anywhere else then you at least have that option!

2) Most doctors will be in tons of subsidized and unsubsidized loans! its a fact of life! unless you parents are rich as hell or you've won the lottery! MONEY SHOULD NEVER BE THE REASON YOU PASS UP ON AN OPPURTUNITY THAT CAN DETERMINE YOUR FUTURE!

3) Unless your stats are amazing and you know you're getting multiple interviews (even then) GO TO THE INTERVIEW! FOR EXPERIENCE IF NOT ANYTHING ELSE!

4) Every school starts at some point with a provisional accredition, and most go to become fully accredited (so i wouldn't worry about that), if anything THEY HAVE MORE TO LOSE RIGHT NOW SO THEY WILL TRY EXTRA HARD TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR STUDENTS TO MAKE A BETTER REPUTATION!

5) GO TO YOUR INTERVIEW!

thats my two cents!

1 and 3. I agree

2) With regards to loans- a lot of pre-meds don't realize just how tough it is to pay for those loans when you get to residency. Don't take that money lightly.

4) While, sure every school starts out with provisional accreditation, you don't need to be the guinnea pig who goes through all the ironing out the kinks. Why not go to a school with decades of experience who has all the issues worked out already and who has had tons of time to improve their rotations? It's not like you get a discount for being a martyr

 

[wolverinepwns]

1 and 3. I agree

2) With regards to loans- a lot of pre-meds don't realize just how tough it is to pay for those loans when you get to residency. Don't take that money lightly.

4) While, sure every school starts out with provisional accreditation, you don't need to be the guinnea pig who goes through all the ironing out the kinks. Why not go to a school with decades of experience who has all the issues worked out already and who has had tons of time to improve their rotations? It's not like you get a discount for being a martyr

Agreed! as I have undergrad loans I'm already paying! but seeing that your are already in your residency and have lots of loans to pay, would you have not gone into medicine if you could do it again! I doubt it! I still think you would have done the same thing! As difficult as it must be to pay those loans back, I wouldn't say I would not go through with medschool just cuz I don't wanna take out loans! What residency are you doing out of curiousity? and where did you graduate from?

 

[sustentacular]

I would interview there if I lived closer, but I don't want to spend a fortune on a flight and hotel for a school I am not sure about. Thanks everybody for all of your input!

You shouldn't be turning down interviews until you have an acceptance in hand.

 

[wolverinepwns]

You shouldn't be turning down interviews until you have an acceptance in hand.

Agreed!

It simple! if your confident you'll get other interviews then DON'T GO! If you know that you wouldn't attend that school even if you get accepted and its your only choice, then DON'T GO! Just realize this though although I agree that flight and hotels can be expensive, but so can having to reapply all over again next year if you don't get any acceptances!

 

[Greyestofblue]

The previous posters pretty much summed up the points. I have applied to RVUCOM for their EDP very conscience of the situation.

I have met with admin reps and gone on two tours. The school is brand new, vibrant, and in a beautiful part of Colorado (actually only 10 miles from my place).

As for the for-profit status, the only concern I have is if there will be any discrimination towards RVUCOM's graduates when applying to residency programs.

Their inaugural class will graduate in 2012, at which time accreditation and the ability to use fed grant money may become more relevant.

 

[DO Anes]

As for the for-profit status, the only concern I have is if there will be any discrimination towards RVUCOM's graduates when applying to residency programs.

Yes. Many ACGME program directors are DO's and know the story.

 

[MightyMoose]

Yes. Many ACGME program directors are DO's and know the story.

I am not quite sure what your response means, would you care to elaborate a little?

 

[alijen]

Oh no! Please don't get DO Anes started on RVUCOM bashing again!

 

[jbairddo]

The joke goes, what do you a call a guy who graduated last in his medical/DO school? answer Doctor, what do you call a guy/gal who graduated from RVU? Doctor, get it? in 17 years of FP the only people who cared about where i graduated from were other DO's of my age. The tuition is the same as anywhere else (as long as anywhere else is MWU) but you are at an advantage with smaller class sizes. your are going to pay $50K for tuition per year and you are worried about $1000 for an interview? Look, the first two years are going to suck no matter where you are, the cost of DO schools is about the same, and the degree is all the same. The unknowns are whether you can match and is there post graduate support to help you find a residency and whether you will be in a place you can enjoy for 2 years to balance the whole "my life is now all about studying" problem. The bigger questions become are you going to DO school because you have to or because you want to, and is the difference in cost enough to warrant a DO degree if you really want it. You can always learn manipulation later, most DO students only get really good after they start practice (this comes from a teacher in an OMM dept).

 

[JeetKuneDo]

I agree with this completely. They are giving private loans at close federal interest rates, if that's not a good deal for a new school I don't know what is. They don't have any choice as to whether you get federal loans or not, but the things that are within their power they are doing a good job (in my opinion) of making your education financially manageable.

Also, you should be able to obtain federal loan dollars after you first year in school.

As far as your interview goes, I can't see why you would even consider declining an interview anywhere without an acceptance... Craziness.

I still need to do my financial aid research, but are the interest rates fixed for both federal and private loans?

 

[MightyMoose]

I still need to do my financial aid research, but are the interest rates fixed for both federal and private loans?

I'm not certain on all the specifics, but I can let you know next month. The last I heard is that they are slightly higher than the federal rates, but my guess is that your rate will fluctuate.

I believe both private and federal loan values adjust to the market, but don't quote me on that.

 

[JW08]

I still need to do my financial aid research, but are the interest rates fixed for both federal and private loans?

The RVU current Health Profession Loan has a fixed interest rate of 8.5% and an Origination Fee of 4%. Students will not be required to begin repaying their loan while enrolled at RVU.
http://www.rockyvistauniversity.org/health professions_loan.asp