RVUCOM v CUSOM

[Ukdavis23]

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Hey folks,

I'm heavily debating between these 2 schools. Both felt like good fits. Wondering if anyone can comment on the quality of the program vs the other. I'll likely be doing HPSP so military rotations/exp is important to me, I'm thinking about specializing but I'm still very open minded, and I want to be in a place with a close student body

CUSOM
pros - great facilities, funding from NC, possible rotations at Ft Bragg, like the faith based atmosphere of students
cons - only preps for COMLEX, still seems to be working through kinks of being new, seems mainly focused on primary care

RVUCOM
pros - great opportunities for mil service w/ Military Track, opportunity to do research as student, preps for USMLE, curriculum/classroom atmosphere felt like better fit with teaching style, dress code etc
cons - not sure if I should be wary of for-profit status, further away, not affliated with major university like CUSOM

Any thoughts, I need to make up my mind very soon so any last minute advice would be appreciated.

 

[Ukdavis23]

Any feedback on this would be appreciated

 

[desdes]

I found some great information under the school specific page for CUSOM maybe some students will be able to tell you more

 

[Haxx]

If you're looking to do the military track, last year RVU matched more students into military residencies than any other DO program in the nation. In the end, though, both schools will probably prepare you well, and it's all about where you can see yourself being happy for the next 4 years. I love the outdoors, so Colorado is a perfect fit for me, but go with your gut on what fits you. 🙂

 

[DGCT00]

Haxx's statistic, although accurate, is a little misleading since RVU also has the highest number of military students of any medical school (other than USUHS, obviously) -- so I would hope they have the most military residencies.

I don't know garbage about CUSOM, but I can tell you why I'm leaning away from RVU.

-Students seem to say, "I love the curriculum, getting to see the material twice!" This is a huge draw for their students but I've found that this is relatively common, at least in the schools I applied to.
-They also say they loved the interview day and the atmosphere. I did too, but that can't be the *biggest* draw of the school, can it? What about their academic program and -- well, the "school" portion of medical school?
-Since they are a new school, there is less of an alumni base and thus, less readily available networking opportunities.

The biggest draw for me is that it's in Colorado. If that's enough for you to go there, then do it. (It may be enough for me.) If not, see what opportunities set the schools apart from each other and choose based of that.

You'll make the right decision. Best of luck!

 

[bcurtis]

So people look at University affiliations negatively; however, the schools will generally have more resources and money to go around so it isn't always a bad thing.

 

[DocEspana]

So people look at University affiliations negatively; however, the schools will generally have more resources and money to go around so it isn't always a bad thing.

who looks at university affiliation negatively? These people need to have their posting status revoked.

 

[bcurtis]

who looks at university affiliation negatively? These people need to have their posting status revoked.

Haha I totally agree, some people do believe that universities are a disadvantage. I think it is because medical students are "selfish" in no way when it comes to their school. Lol idk that's a weird way of describing it. Others may chime in the explain more

 

[jaguar33]

I chose CUSOM (over several other schools), but did not apply to RVU. For me CUSOM felt right. They seem to have great affiliated hospitals lined up for rotations, supportive faculty, great facilities, and the university has a good track record with professional schools (pharmacy & law). The only downside for me was how new it is, but they seem to be working hard to create solid rotation sites with affiliated residencies. I did not apply to RVU due to the "for-profit" status. I felt they would not be looking out for their students as much as other schools. I'm sure if I interviewed there I would have a different outlook, but I didn't.

I think it really boils down to where you are comfortable.

 

[gocougs339]

I chose CUSOM (over several other schools), but did not apply to RVU. For me CUSOM felt right. They seem to have great affiliated hospitals lined up for rotations, supportive faculty, great facilities, and the university has a good track record with professional schools (pharmacy & law). The only downside for me was how new it is, but they seem to be working hard to create solid rotation sites with affiliated residencies. I did not apply to RVU due to the "for-profit" status. I felt they would not be looking out for their students as much as other schools. I'm sure if I interviewed there I would have a different outlook, but I didn't.

I think it really boils down to where you are comfortable.

My reasons for picking CUSOM over other schools and for not applying to RVU are the exact same. Maybe it's unwarranted but the for-profit status scared me away from applying to RVU. It's a shame too because I know I would have loved to move to Colorado, maybe for my residency...

 

[Haxx]

Here was a post I put up about a month ago regarding RVU and especially for-profit status.

"Obviously I'm biased here, but the facilities are beautiful, the curriculum is totally in line with all of the other DO schools in the nation, the board scores are good now and improving on a trend, and the recent match lists, however useless they may be, have some good things to say. Now I am not going to say that the idea of a for-profit medical school is my favorite thing in the world, but in order to have accreditation, a school must pump a % of profits back into facilities, etc. Also, it's not like tuition at RVU is obscene in comparison to any other DO school in the nation, so from what I can tell, they're doing things about as right as a new school can.

Tl;dr - Rocky Vista probably isn't as much of the devil incarnate as SDN would have everyone believe."