Rank the DO schools

[MyEyesMesmerize]

Can someone let me know how the schools are viewed as far as where most students want to attend? In other words, which ones are seen to be the top ones? List 5 if you can.

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[aczander]

You know, I've been struggling trying to decide between 2 schools. What i've figured out after speaking with everyone I know in the medical field(allopathic and osteopathic) is that it really doesn't matter which school you choose. Obviously some schools (harvard, hopkins,etc) are the exception. It seems like what really matters is how you do in school, how you do on your clinical rotations, and your letters of recommendation. I personally want to be at the school that I think i will perform best at and be most relaxed and happy at.

 

[Doc AdamK in 2006]

My Personal Top Five

1.CCOM
1.NOVA
3.PCOM
4.NYCOM
5.UMDNJSOM

it would be unfair to the other school in the west and texas that I did not apply to

AK

 

[jasjaz]

My top choice is CCOM.

 

[too-sweet-phat-cool 4-life]

I think this is going to be different for everyone, but my first choice is OSU-COM. The tuition is low, cost of living is pretty cheap, the people were great, I really like Tulsa(about 500,000 people), and it has ranked well in PC in the USA Today. I also heard alot of good things about PCOM, KCOM, and MSUCOM.
Go POKES!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bones]

Obviously this depends on what you want, but in the DO world I've heard KCOM, MSUCOM, and PCOM time and again as people's first choices.

I only applied to KCOM, PCOM, and Thomas Jefferson University (they have an integrative medicine program) myself, and ended up at KCOM. KCOM does have its problems- such as failing out a bunch of students (>10% of the class for 2003 and 2004 were either 5th-yeared or kicked)... and probably more than half the class is afraid of failing something every single semester. (I kid you not)
If you manage to survive you'll be a darn good physician, and KCOM arguably has the best OMM department. Decent basic sciences, but to some degree it appears they select quantity over quality in the curriculum. some of the classes are very good, however, and you WILL learn everything about everything before you leave this place. many times over.

Be prepared for high-stress (I'm working with some of the administration to improve this), and a small, charming, friendly, boring town that you wont have the time to see anyway. You wont believe how much you learn here (I'm nowhere near the top of my class for anatomy and I know more anatomy than a MD student I talked to who was going into plastic surgery and was in the top 5% of his class). we'll see how much of it I remember...

MSU i understand is the best for research, and in the early to mid 80's they were the best DO school overall. While their research is still probably the best of any DO school, I understand they have lost some of their best faculty over the last decade and board scores have dropped. Decent OMM. Very difficult to get into from out of state (and expensive until you can get residency).

PCOM is perhaps the best respected DO school by MD's, as all of the doctors in philly (MD and DO alike) seem to like PCOM grads (and I understand philly has something like 1/6th of the physicians in the US). Apparently excellent quality basic sciences. I've heard they have a pretty lax curve for the class, so nobody fails, but this means there is a lower bar for students. I've also heard mixed things about their OMM- apparently many students there don't take it seriously- though they do have at least one really good prof and there is the opportunity to learn.

NECOM- good all-around school. Check out Jim Jealous in Maine... (not affiliated with the school from what I understand, but one of the best OMM guys around).

WVCOM good for family practice, if you can survive the embarassment of living in West Virginia... <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> hey, missouri ain't much better.

PCOM (already mentioned), NYCOM, CCOM, TCOM- practically MD schools that award the DO degree, but good at what they do. But if this is what you want, why not just get an MD?

the rest? I'm not going school bashing.
be wary, as not all the DO schools have high standards or good clinical rotations. Ask around if you are considering the others.

peace
bones
KCOM '05

 

[Old Yeller]

Hey Bones, I was wondering what you've heard about UHS. I know that they've just started the GENESIS curriculum pretty recently, and the students have yet to take the board exams. Also, have you heard anything about the quality of their clinical rotations?

 

[jrich15]

I think AZCOM should be ranked right in there with the rest of them. I have interviewed at another DO school and MD programs and was very impressed with AZCOM. The most recent match list is very impressive as well. I don't believe that it falls into the suspect category as bones seems to believe.

 

[drusso]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by bones:
• NYCOM, CCOM, TCOM- practically MD schools that award the DO degree, but good at what they do. But if this is what you want, why not just get an MD?

•••••Could you explain what you mean by this statement. Isn't TCOM leading the profession by being home to the national Osteopathic Research Center?

 

[CareRx]

Osteopathic Medical Schools listed in descending order by MCAT:
******************************
Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (Tulsa, OK) Average MCAT: 9.0
Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine (San Francisco, CA) Average MCAT: 9.0
University of North Texas Health Science Center Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (Fort Worth, TX) Average MCAT: 9.0
Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (Kirksville, MO) Average MCAT: 8.9
Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University Average MCAT: 8.7
Western University of Health Sciences / College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific (Pomona, CA) Average MCAT: 8.7
UMDNJ School of Osteopathic Medicine (Strattford, NJ) Average MCAT: 8.6
Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine Average MCAT: 8.5
University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine (Kansas City, MO) Average MCAT: 8.4
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine of Midwestern University; Average MCAT: 8.3
Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine (FLA) Average MCAT: 8.3
University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (Maine) Average MCAT: 8.3
New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of New York Institute of Technology (Old Westbury, NY) Average MCAT: 8.2
University of Osteopathic Medicine & Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine & Surgery (Des Moines, Iowa) Average MCAT: 8.1
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (Erie, PA) Average MCAT: 8.0
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (Lewisburg, WV) Average MCAT: 7.6
Pikesville College School of Osteopathic Medicine (Kentucky) Average MCAT: 7.4
Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine (Athens, OH) Average MCAT: N/A
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (Philadelphia, PA) Average MCAT: N/A
Medical School information - from the 2000 annual U.S. NEWS and WORLD REPORT

<a href="http://www.kcom.edu/faculty/chamberlain/ranmcat.htm" target="_blank">web page</a>

 

[Ice Man]

And that means....... Remember Wash U has the highest MCATS in the allopathic world (last time I checked). It doesn't mean a whole lot.

 

[jrich15]

I'm sure it was in response to bone's statement..."the rest? I'm not going school bashing.
be wary, as not all the DO schools have high standards or good clinical rotations." Also Washington U. is an excellent allopathic program, so yes MCAT is a big factor.

 

[Treybird]

Does anybody have the skinny on KCOM's standards or clinical rotations? Does KCOM have a good rep within the medical community?

TB

 

[GoForIt]

Average MCAT score does not mean anything. Is it the average of only students that attend the school, or the average of ALL applicants that were accepted to the school. Also, since it is the average, then what is the highest, lowest, median, mode, standard deviation?

Since you quote the data source from US News and World Magazine, you might find its med school overall ranking more meaningful. Here's the link

<a href="http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/grad/rankings/med/medindex.htm" target="_blank">US News & World Report Magazine's Med School Ranking </a>

Because the link displays only the top 5 schools for each category, you do not see any DO schools there. Among to top 50 Primary Care med schools, there are three DO schools ranked: MSUCOM (35), TCOM (39) and OSUCOM (47).

Regardless of what people/magazine say, after all, they are all entitle to their opinion. IMHO, the best med school is the one you attend.

 

[RockandRolldoc]

I'm sorry, these rankings are useless. Notice how the DO schools ranked the highest are all public and subsidized by a large state agency or research institution. The criteria these rankings are based on is so arbitrary and unimportant in the scope of things. My undergraduate institution, the University of Michigan is one of the leading research schools and hospitals in the world, but that doesn't mean that they turn out the greatest physicians. As a matter of fact, a large number of people that go there don't even become practicing physicians, they end up doing research--not that there is anything wrong with that. Don't believe the hype, if I was going to base a school's worthiness on something, I would call my local hospitals and speak to the director of medical education. I'd ask what they thought of the students from XCOM. I did this, and it was a big factor in making my decision about which school I chose to attend. I'd also look at places that seem to attract the most students... if a lot of people want to go to a school there is usually a good reason.

 

[GoForIt]

•••quote:••• The criteria these rankings are based on is so arbitrary and unimportant in the scope of things ••••Apparently, US News & World Report thinks that their criteria are not arbitrary and unimportant. If you strongly disagree with the criteria, you are encouraged to contact the publisher and let them know what you think should be the criteria. Perhaps they would incorporate your thinking and improve their evaluation at their next publication. Nevertheless, at least there is some criteria. When you speak to other people, they give you their subjective opinions - at times very self-serving.

•••quote:••• As a matter of fact, a large number of people that go there don't even become practicing physicians, they end up doing research--not that there is anything wrong with that. ••••UM is one of the top research med school. Hence, I am not surprised at all that some of them end up doing research and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. After all, to each his/her own.

•••quote:••• if I was going to base a school's worthiness on something, I would call my local hospitals and speak to the director of medical education. I'd ask what they thought of the students from XCOM. I did this, and it was a big factor in making my decision about which school I chose to attend
••••Let's just say that you appear to believe in the SUBJECTIVE, and I like to put more weight on OBJECTIVE. You can make your own decision any way you want. Incidentally, did you get different feedback from different director of med education?

•••quote:•••I'd also look at places that seem to attract the most students... if a lot of people want to go to a school there is usually a good reason. ••••Are you implying the med school with the most number of applicant is the best school? Hhmm, I do think so.

Look, this is question that has no right answer. I still say that Regardless of what people/magazine say, after all, they are all entitle to their opinion. IMHO, the best med school is the one you attend.

 

[jhug]

Ranking is so odd. It brings out the best(sarcastically) in all of us. We all want to take a pride in the schools we are attending. To me, AZCOM was by far the best. Rotations make sense, preceptor mixed with hospital based. The match is awesome-- 3 at the MAYO clinic!!!!!!! And a three year running 100% 1st board pass rate!!!! You literally can't beat that!!!!
But this is very individual. Many take a big pride in TUCOM-- i saw it as a run down, deserted "island" with great potential but not for the present moment. This offends people attending because of the sense of accomplishment in making it to that med school--but that is how i felt. That means absolutely nothing to the person enrolled at tucom, or the person set on attending there. In the end we will all be working next to each other and no one will truly care where you went, as long as you do your job! i feel that every DO school will provide a good education-- some will fit you, some won't. Rank the schools by how they fit you individually. But, more importantly, trying to rank each institution will in the end divide them-- and in this profession that is the last thing we need.

 

[The Mesentery]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by jhug:
•Ranking is so odd. It brings out the best(sarcastically) in all of us. We all want to take a pride in the schools we are attending. To me, AZCOM was by far the best. Rotations make sense, preceptor mixed with hospital based. The match is awesome-- 3 at the MAYO clinic!!!!!!! And a three year running 100% 1st board pass rate!!!! You literally can't beat that!!!!•••••Having a Mayo Clinic in AZ of course makes admission to Mayo residencies a lot easier since students probably can get good letter of recommendation from doctors they rotate with.

Most schools have a 100% board passing rate if you include second and third attempts since passing the boards is most likely a graduation requirement.

 

[bones]

hey all,
to respond to some of the questions: I know very little about AZCOM and touro. All I said was that the rest of the schools are a mixed bag- that means some good, some not. you could be right about AZCOM. I hadn't heard it touted by people as their first choice the way I've heard re: KCOM, MSUCOM, and PCOM, thats why i left it off my top three (and these 3 are very different, so the 'best' might be different for each person).

All I meant re: the comment about PCOM, CCOM, TCOM, and NYCOM is that I heard from students at these schools that OMM and osteopathic medicine are under-emphasized in the curriculum relative to other DO schools. They are touted as having some of the best basic science and rotation training among DO schools however- so take it at that (KCOM and MSU-COM have good classes and rotations as well). it is my personal opinion though that if you're gonna go DO you might as well learn OMM. PCOM is good enough to stand on equal ground with some of the MD schools in terms of reputation though, so many choose it over MCP Hanneman and Temple even though they have no interest in osteopathy.

yes, TCOM will have the new funded OMM research center. My report of less omm there was based on only two students' comments. which leads me to this:
check everything I say out for yourself (ask current students). Since I have only a few students from each school to draw from for my info, some of what I say may not be the majority opinion at the school. I just gave this info to give people ideas for where to look first when searching for a good school match. PLEASE don't choose a school based only on the info I give...

bones

 

[Careofme]

Juhug,

TUCOM????? I agree with you that it did seem a bit desolate...and they have lots of potential. It's sad actually..What else have you heard about the school?

 

[titan]

I, too, feel like AZCOM is the best DO school of the ones that I am familiar with. I interviewed and got accepted at AZCOM, CCOM, DMU, and KCOM. So I can only give my opinion of each of these schools, but AZCOM was the most impressive and fit the best FOR ME. Everyone has their own opinion, that's mine! Good luck to all of you !

 

[Doc Blondie]

i heard this question asked before an i heard the bst answer. as far as osteopathic goes, there are 19 different answers to this question. you should go where you are happiest, with the exception of harvard no matter where you go its what you do in shcool that makes a difference.

 

[bones]

This isn't all cliche actually-
in most medical schools you are responsible for your own education (much more so than high school and college), and most of your learning will occur on your own time rather than in class- so a dedicated student can likely make a good education from wherever they go, and a bad student will have trouble wherever they go. All that the school can do is provide you with good mentors and a structure to learn through, and some places provide certain resources better than others (such as research, OMM mentors, patients in demand of student services, etc.).

 

[bones]

in other words, if you don't get into your first choice you can still do well somewhere else... its just that when you do have choices, there are many factors to consider- more than just location and tuition.