RVU-UT vs. PCOM-GA vs. TUNCOM

[FireBirdie]

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I am hoping to use this to reach out to current or past students, outside of student ambassadors, to get another perspective on experiences. All institutions present themselves as relaxed and collaborative.

• I loved all my interviewers (n=1-2), but I know that it is not reflective of admin or other faculty. I’ve committed my first $1k deposit to RVU-UT prior to Dec 14 deadline and recently heard from PCOM-GA afterwards. I’m waiting to hear back from TUN; I felt pretty good in my interview with them.
• All three have solid match lists.
• Tuition wise: PCOM-GA is the cheapest ($66k). TUN and RVU-UT are about the same ($70k).
• Lecture attendance is not mandatory with all of them.
• I’m cool with OMM.
• Distance to family is not a worry for me. I lived in Nevada forever. I see going out as an opportunity for me to grow both as a person and aspiring physician.
• On that point, I would be open to match roughly anywhere in the country, preferably urbanized environments.
• Interests in no particular order: DR/IR, ophthalmology, neurology with intent to do vascular fellow, cardiology, PM&R

It’s hard for me to gauge the level of research opportunities between the three. It seems all of them are student-driven to network and find quality work. I see it as an overarching issue for DOs in general, outside of public-funded or part of the OG 5. I can find a clerkship site guide on RVU's website, but not from PCOM or TUN. I would love to get any input on this.

RVU-UT
Pros

• H/P/F grading
• >90% pass rate in COMLEX Level I, II, III
• Tracks – interest towards global medicine track
• Close to multiple parks – interest in mountain biking and rock climbing

Cons

• Highest COA ($120k)? Majority of their calculated costs seems to be COL. It seems RVU exaggerates cost of housing. From what I gathered, costs for 1 bedroom apt is about the same in all three areas.
• Culturally homogeneous area?
  • At least Vegas is accessible: 2-hour drive.
• For profit. I am indifferent to an extent. Student experience is solid from what I know, but I definitely need more elaboration. I know one friend that went to CO campus and another to MT campus. I have seen push to apply SGU if students did not get into RVU.

PCOM-GA
Pros

• Metropolitan area + strong cultural diversity; lots to do if time permits
• Potential grandfathering with federal loans (Stafford + Grad Plus) as they start on 6/29/25, but AACOM’s presentation did not give me much confidence.
• Interest in their interprofessional education

Neutral

• Good/Bad? Changes in curriculum. Based on initial impressions with students, it sounds like PCOM One curriculum isn’t doing too well. Georgia faculty will have more control over the curriculum to suit the needs of their students.

Cons

• Graded
• Variable COMLEX performance for the last three classes (<90% in either Level I or Level II.)

TUNCOM, pending decision
Pros

• Interprofessional education
• P/F (but with a caveat)
• Highest COMLEX pass rate out of the three
• Local clerkships for 3rd year
• Vegas; it's familiar.

Neutral

• Sit in requirements for Step. I saw a leak about it. I think it’s necessary.
• Curriculum changes. Opportunity to do some prestudy before orientation.

Cons

• Vegas; personal injury attorney billboards every quarter mile. Serious note, familiarity creates enough boredom that I am not too enthusiastic to explore.
• Not true P/F: internal ranking
• Campus is like a warehouse and maze
• On the matter of local clerkships, there is competition with UNLV and now, Roseman. TUN doesn’t appear concerned, but I hold some skepticism. I’ve seen a few comments on poor clerkship experiences.

I am indecisive as the reasons I can think of hold varying weight. I highly value structure that can help me perform boards well (both COMLEX and Step). P/F for mental health. I believe I can get COA to be close to one another across the board, but I understand I need to consider the chance of getting grandfathered for loans, if I find more assurance in this. While I hold an urban-underserved focus, I am excited to be engaged and serve communities wherever I end up deciding. I feel adventurous enough to explore more unfamiliar territory.

 

[castlehoff]

TUNCOM, this school has an excellent reputation, great match outcomes and teaching hospital access with affiliated residencies, (PCOM does in philadelphia but not GA). Neither of the other schools you listed do. PCOM would be my 2nd choice but TUNCOM should be your runaway favorite.

 

[FireBirdie]

TUNCOM, this school has an excellent reputation, great match outcomes and teaching hospital access with affiliated residencies, (PCOM does in philadelphia but not GA). Neither of the other schools you listed do. PCOM would be my 2nd choice but TUNCOM should be your runaway favorite.

Good to know and thank you for your input!