RVU-CO vs DMU

[nora6143]

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RVU-CO
Pros

• Family about 30 minutes away (strong support system)
• Denver metro area so there is more going on/fun things to do.
• Mountains close by for skiing, hiking, etc. Fun activities and consistent sunshine that would allow for more balance in life.
• Match to competitive residencies (derm, anesthesiology)
• Board pass rates above 90%
• Supportive/friendly community
• Have connections in area from previous shadow/volunteer experiences
• Rotation sites primarily in Colorado.
• Partner more likely to move to Denver down the road.
• Honors/Pass/Fail
• University of CO states "100% tuition discount for RVU students (CO campus only)" for visiting rotations.

Cons

• For profit school
• Lottery system for rotations (could end up being sent all over the place)
• Research opportunities seem limited
• Random drop in COMLEX pass rate from 95% in 2024 to 90% in 2025. Makes me wonder if the curriculum isn't consistent.
• Relatively new (founded in 2008) so not considered as prestigious
• Small campus. It felt rather empty and almost like a public library to me.

DMU
Pros

• Strong board pass rates (consistently above 96%)
• One of the original 5 DO schools. More prestige and greater network that might help with residency placement.
• Living in Des Moines would be cheap.
• Exams every other week (can stay on top of material)
• New campus with really nice facilities. The simulation and anatomy labs were amazing.
• Better campus feel
• High match rate and match competitive residencies (ENT, anesthesiology)

Cons

• No immediate family nearby (lacking support system)
• Dislike Des Moines as a city. It's very small with not much going on.
• Cold and cloudy weather in the winter.
• Campus felt like a bubble. You spend all your time there, live close by, and don't do much outside of school.
• Small airport so could be more expensive/challenging to fly home for holidays.
• Partner would not move to Des Moines. About 4 hour drive to visit them
• Lottery system for rotations
• Rotation sites are primarily in the Midwest

Summary: RVU-CO offers a strong support system and greater quality of life with family and mountains close by, while DMU offers a strong curriculum, new campus, and greater prestige.

 

[FireBirdie]

DMU is the stronger school no doubt. However, my impression is that you highly value a support system that can help you endure these next four years, so I would pick RVU.

To touch on a few points: I feel that once a school is >90% pass rate, then it definitely more on the student to pass boards. Rotation quality is variable for both from a few anecdotes I know of, especially with no affiliated teaching hospital access. I’m not concerned with prestige comparing these two; they’re DO, you’ll naturally have to work harder with double boards and extracurriculars if you’re aiming competitive specialities. Both match well and again, it is more so on the student profile that reflects the match list.