Question to you students...

[dancote]

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Dear D.O. medical students,
I am currently in the application process and trying to learn all I can about the different schools. My wife worked for awhile in a M.D. school and always comments on how intense and competitive the students were. You had to really work an insane amount to get ahead of everyone and survive to the next year. I don't want to end up in a school like that, I also have three kids that I want to spend some time with, so here is my question:

What is the atmosphere like in your particular school? Do you feel like your working together or against each other? Is there a fear of being failed as you struggle along?

I tell my wife that all schools are (hopefully!) not like the one she worked in and that some could be very good matches for a guy who doesn't want to compete and has his sights set on FP.

So what would you say from your experience?

-Dan
Marquette, MICH

 

[iatrosB]

I think you will find that competition is more of an issue at most MD schools. That is one of the noticeable differences between MD and DO. Can't speak for all of DO schools, but most I've seen have been cooperative and not competitive. The students really look out for one another. Some MD schools will be the same way, but it happens more often in DO schools. Good luck and have fun!

 

[DrMom]

At my school we're pretty cooperative & get along well. People make study guides & email them to the entire class, share helpful websites, and help struggling classmates study. And I'm in the gunner class 😀

 

[Sinnman]

I'm at OUCOM and I think the atmosphere is great!!! That's one of the main reasons I chose this school. One thing that I think helps a lot is that we are on a pass/fail system so people aren't climbing over each other to be at the top of the class.

 

[(nicedream)]

If your heart's set on FP you shouldn't have to worry about competing. Just do what you gotta do to get by. If people are cooperative, great, if not, leave the ratrace to them.

 

[bonefixr]

Our school is Kansas City is a very cooperative school. We have students sending out outlines for Micro, Path, etc quite often and we all help another answer a question if asked. We had one student get her house flooded with some rains and almost $1,500 was donated by students and faculty. There are a few who are competitive among the upper class ranks, but I think you will find that anywhere. Good luck!

 

[T.A.M]

I agree with Bonefixr about KCUMB. I haven't heard of MD schools being insanely competitive amongst classmates though, not even Harvard. It's not like you're going to law school...

 

[DrMom]

I have heard from actual MD students of things like stealing notes from top students so that they cannot study from them and set a curve...things like that.

 

[mamitch4]

Just came through a week of orientation at WVSOM. The faculty and staff bent over backwards to tell us how the competition is over (we all got in), we need to cooperate, work together, be a family, look out for each other, etc. And I am pleased to say that as classes have started this week, I have observed these attitudes in action. I am so pleased with my choice of school!!!

 

[Chronotropic]

I have heard from actual MD students of things like stealing notes from top students so that they cannot study from them and set a curve...things like that.

😱

 

[Aaron Earles]

Hey Dan,

We start our orientation Monday at Pikeville. We have approximately 79 students in our class. I have already met about 25 of them and their spouses, not to mention several 2nd and 3rd year students. From what I have seen these past 3 weeks, we really look out for each other. We have helped each other move into apartments, houses, or whatever, and have met several times to eat and go to movies.

We actually just returned from a hiking trip to the Breaks Interstate park. We are already comfortable with each other and look forward to starting the semester. Other classes here at PCSOM have told me that their classes look out for each other as well.

I think it makes a huge difference when you can "bond" with your classmates before school actually begins. I really cant wait to meet the rest of my classmates. Good luck finding a school that "fits" you. It is good to hear that these other schools are not cutthroat. I have also heard good things about OUCOM and WVSOM getting along well with classmates and not having competition.

ACE

 

[cutes]

Hello again dancote,
Here is what I think. My class is pretty competitive. People actually steal copies of old exams from the school's test bank so that everyone doesn't get access to them. I think that is pretty cut-throat. I am fairly certain that you will see things like this anywhere, it goes with the territory. None of us would have gotten into school in the first place if we didn't have an overwhelming need to succeed. I don't want to make you look poorly on PCSOM but some people even told the guy who was #1 in our class not to study because he would ruin the curve in Physiology(BTW, there is no curve). I just try to stay away from these people 'cause I don't feel like I need to compete with them. I do my competing when I study hard for blocks and do well on them. Just keep your mouth shut about your grades and no one will bother you. Hope this helps. I love PCSOM, just some people make it a little crazier than it has to be. Feel free to ask any more questions you may have.
MSF
PCSOM OMS-II

 

[LovelyRita]

I found myself in competition with myself, most often.

 

[H0mersimps0n]

LECOM, at least class of 2007, is pretty darn good about sharing info. We are all constantly e-mailing out study guides and questions to each other. Just ask the students when you go on your interviews, each school and I assume each class will vary slightly.

Good luck

 

[BrooklynDO]

NYCOM 2006...well no competition as such, people are pretty helpful, put study guides and notes online for you etc etc...the competition is there in terms of the fact that sometimes people compete against their friends as a motivational studying tool.
otherwise, people help each other out when they can.

 

[Chronotropic]

Only been in class for a week now but people have already been emailing out study guides and other aids to help eachother. Very noncompetitive atmosphere.