RVUCOM-CO vs. WVSOM

[mediwars4]

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Hey everyone! I’m from California, URM female but staying “close to home” isn’t really a deciding factor for me but being in a diverse and safe environment is. I don’t really care about matching back to CA because I want to move out of the state anyway. Nowhere in particular at the moment but ideally to the DMV, NY/NJ area or maybe even Dallas, Tx. My biggest priority though is choosing the school that will give me the best chance at matching orthopedic surgery and doing well on boards. I genuinely like both schools so I am having trouble deciding.

RVUCOM-Colorado
Pros
• Area seems more diverse (?)
• H/P/F grading
• Everyone seems friendly
• Above 90% first time pass rate
Cons
• Very large class size
• Ortho matches seem somewhat inconsistent like 2-3 every other year
• Total COA for all 4 years is 490k

WVSOM
Pros
• Faculty and mentorship seem excellent
• Consistent ortho matches every year
• I never really hear any grievances with the school
• Smaller class size
• 100k cheaper
Cons
• Less diverse/rural environment
• Letter grading with some essay questions on exams
• Research opportunities seem more limited
• 88% first time pass rates

Another important note to add is that I would pretty much be taking out the full COA in private loans by myself and I think there are more scholarship opportunities at WVSOM but I’m not really sure.

Please help me decided 🙂

 

[chilly_md]

Moved to X vs Y. If you are confident you would like to do ortho or another surgical speciality, WVSOM is your best choice. Even that aside, I believe WVSOM has had good support from the state in general. Being a good deal cheape with a reasonable class size seals the deal

 

[Mr.Smile12]

A rural environment is not necessarily "less" diverse. WVSOM is more established than RVU. Have you connected with the SNMA chapters at both schools?

WVSOM’s diversity efforts aim for greater representation on campus | West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine

Student National Medical Association | Rocky Vista University

The purpose of the SNMA is to support current and future underrepresented minority students, addressing the needs of underserved communities, and increasing...

studenthandbook.rvu.edu

 

[eyeeye_captain]

A rural environment is not necessarily "less" diverse.

I guess it’s possible, but it looks like the entire county WVSOM is in has a 32k population that’s 92% White. That’s probably not going to beat the general makeup of a metro as large as Denver.

TL;DR: WV unless hearing “Country Roads” played on a banjo on repeat is too much.

The cost argument is already a no brainer, even without the possibility of some scholarship dough. The interest accruing on private loans is no joke.

I feel like I have to give this spiel a few times a year, but when it comes to competitive specialties, you obviously have to have a competitive application. This is magnified at DO schools since the match rates are significantly lower (ortho was under 50% last year). That means the other massive question is where do you see yourself being more likely to succeed academically? Only you can really have the vibes on that, but I would weigh it heavily even if you’re pivoting to another field (which is very common).

To me, the more established, smaller, not-for-profit, better mentorship, cheaper school sounds like there are more pros, but I grew up as a minority in the sticks so I hear the obvious con. Letter grading can actually help if you do well since program directors have so few data points on applications these days. Consistently matching ortho means they have some connections, but like I said, low odds already and your mind can change.

You have to pass at the minimum and hopefully excel.

 

[Mr.Smile12]

Humor break...

TL;DR: WV unless hearing “Country Roads” played on a banjo on repeat is too much.

Not to be confused (as I once was) with "Deliverance (Dueling Banjos)."

I just note that I have had a few advisees go to WVSOM who would stick out demographically, but they were very well supported by their admins, faculty, and peers.

 

[eyeeye_captain]

Humor break...


Not to be confused (as I once was) with "Deliverance (Dueling Banjos)."

I just note that I have had a few advisees go to WVSOM who would stick out demographically, but they were very well supported by their admins, faculty, and peers.

That’s great to hear. I have a friend who spent a couple years in WV where the accent was a sore thumb, but felt like everyone was very kind.

Sorry OP, I think I’m allowed one aside on country stuff since I’ve said my piece already. I’ll stay on topic after.

“Take Me Home, Country Roads” is actually one of the state songs of WV, written by, somewhat ironically, John Denver, considering where RVU is located. They take that song seriously. I think it’s played after every WVU sporting event. Other fun WVU fact - football celebrations not infrequently involve creating a bonfire using a couch. I’ve actually worked with a Hatfield descendent (of the McCoy feud fame). Sounds like everybody’s more or less over it now.

Deliverance was set and filmed in north Georgia, which is kinda weird culturally. It’s at the south end of Appalachia, so you have kind of a blend of hillbillies and rednecks, and there’s a real difference between the two.