School dilemma

[Mtnbiker]

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I've been fortunate enough to receive acceptances from 3 excellent schools... CCOM, NSU and LECOM-B. I've been searching various threads for some time, scouring them for good SDN knowledge regarding each institution. As much as I'd like to, I can't go to all 3, and I've got a decision to make before Dec. 14. So I'm seeking guidance from osteopathic students (and doctors, if they care to weigh in). Heck, knowledgeable premeds are welcome too.

I've seen posters declare with authority that rotations are the most important aspect of a school, and others say just go with the cheapest one available, the accreditation process is rigorous enough that any medical school will give you a good foundation (and the rest is up to you). The problem is, both positions sound reasonable to me!

So, the bottom line... excluding rent/food/beer, CCOM costs roughly $47350, NSU costs $41370, and LECOM-B costs $29250.

Is an older and more established school truly worth that much more tuition? If it comes down to it, I'll pay (borrow) the extra amount if it is necessary, but I'd love to hear what people who are in the middle of clinical rotations (or even further along) think.

I don't have any particular affinity for any of the locations. I don't know what I'd like to specialize in, since I've only shadowed FP and EM docs.

Mtnbiker

 

[BobBarker]

I have noticed that both lecoms have been talked about much more positively in the past two years. I don't think you should dismiss bradenton jar because it is a new school. They definitely are passing their board exams down there something I know at least one very well thought of school has been struggling with recently.

 

[csmittyB]

They definitely are passing their board exams down there something I know at least one very well thought of school has been struggling with recently.

Which school is that?

 

[ChiDO]

LECOM-B also destroys the boards compared to all the other DO schools.

Think your first decision should be where do you want to be (ie. I hate snow, or I love winter, or my family is in Ft. Laud., ect..). If that doesn't matter, do you want to do PBL (LECOM-B) or not. If that doesn't matter, go with the cheapest school.

 

[Mtnbiker]

I have noticed that both lecoms have been talked about much more positively in the past two years. I don't think you should dismiss bradenton jar because it is a new school. They definitely are passing their board exams down there something I know at least one very well thought of school has been struggling with recently.

LECOM-B also destroys the boards compared to all the other DO schools.

Think your first decision should be where do you want to be (ie. I hate snow, or I love winter, or my family is in Ft. Laud., ect..). If that doesn't matter, do you want to do PBL (LECOM-B) or not. If that doesn't matter, go with the cheapest school.

I agree, I'm totally not counting LECOM-B out. As a matter of fact, I really liked what I saw during the PBL session I sat in on. I think PBL (and their boards performance) are really strong arguments in their favor. No cafeteria/gym is a downside, but one I could live with (esp. with a YMCA next door).

 

[TerraMedicX]

I'd be wary of looking at board scores, some schools have VERY high board scores because they fail out students or don't let students who do poorly on practice exams sit for the COMLEX. That being said, after talking to students from nearly every DO school in the country, I'm pretty sure every school has some issues!

Some of the things I really have liked about being at Nova that I've noticed that not all schools do is that Nova is pretty good about letting students get involved on a national level early on. Many schools don't even LET first year students goto conferences, but Nova encourages it! (The only problem comes when you have a conference you want to goto that conflicts with an exam...you do NOT want to take a short-answer makeup! 😛 ). I think they're probably also VERY supportive of students who have personal issues arise, which no one ever plans for but sometimes happens!

Also, if you come to FTL, your beer tab will probably be about 2x higher than you're used to! Its DAMN expensive to live down here!

If you have specific questions feel free to PM me!

Nate.

EDIT: Oh, and be sure you're ready for being in hot, humid, sticky weather all the time! And around very pretentious and superficial people!

 

[Mtnbiker]

Also, if you come to FTL, your beer tab will probably be about 2x higher than you're used to! Its DAMN expensive to live down here!

Yeah I live in the microbrew center of the universe, I'll have to make some serious sacrifices.

That's good info about Nova... there's a lot I like about the school. How difficult is it to get into the OMM fellowship program? That would really help level the playing field regarding cost.

 

[bleeker10]

Some of the things I really have liked about being at Nova that I've noticed that not all schools do is that Nova is pretty good about letting students get involved on a national level early on. Many schools don't even LET first year students goto conferences, but Nova encourages it! (The only problem comes when you have a conference you want to goto that conflicts with an exam...you do NOT want to take a short-answer makeup! 😛 ).

I know for a fact LECOM lets students go to national conferences in their first year. One of my friends just got back from the national SOSA conference in Chicago and our OPP class has been pitching the UAAO convocation on Colorado in May to us a lot. You just have to have a 3.0 or higher to go. Since LECOM-B is part of LECOM, I assume it's the same down there as it is up here

 

[mrsmith]

How difficult is it to get into the OMM fellowship program? That would really help level the playing field regarding cost.

When I interviewed at Nova about a month ago, one of the OMM fellows came and talked to us at lunch about the fellowship program. They mentioned that there are 6 OMM fellows a year, and about 20 students apply for those positions.

 

[DoctaJMa]

Just to let you know. LECOM-Bradenton had a 100% pass rate for the COMLEX this year! Of course I am sure they told u that at ur interview!

 

[Mtnbiker]

When I interviewed at Nova about a month ago, one of the OMM fellows came and talked to us at lunch about the fellowship program. They mentioned that there are 6 OMM fellows a year, and about 20 students apply for those positions.

Thanks... I think there's a research fellowship too. I'm not sure of the details on that one.

 

[Mtnbiker]

Just to let you know. LECOM-Bradenton had a 100% pass rate for the COMLEX this year! Of course I am sure they told u that at ur interview!

They did. I believe the previous year was 97% too, so it wasn't a fluke.

 

[mrsmith]

Thanks... I think there's a research fellowship too. I'm not sure of the details on that one.

Not sure how many people apply for the research fellowship. I do know they only have 2 or 3 spots. Same time requirement and benefits as the other fellowship.

 

[Eudjinn]

if all else failed to help me make up my mind, i'd choose based on climate, which would mean:

i don't want to do PBL : Nova
i do want PBL : Lecom B

climate = affects your mood (so hard to get into study mode when the weather sucks), but i guess on the flipside some people would hate it being sunny and having to study...

 

[Mtnbiker]

if all else failed to help me make up my mind, i'd choose based on climate, which would mean:

i don't want to do PBL : Nova
i do want PBL : Lecom B

climate = affects your mood (so hard to get into study mode when the weather sucks), but i guess on the flipside some people would hate it being sunny and having to study...

Good point... after an unusually crappy snowstorm here in CO my wife gave me a gentle hint that she would prefer the warmer climes.

As in, if I want to stay married, head south.

 

[DOctorJay]

cheapest school wins, PERIOD

 

[the1doc]

CCOM grad, loved Chicago, hated the winters, hated the traffic, hated the relatively high cost of my education when compared to other schools. Thought the clinical experience was excellent, possibly the best among DO schools (PCOM? can't think of others that might be better inpatient/academic experiences among DO schools). I rotated in several allopathic programs, side by side with MD students and MD residents, in addition to DO residents and attendings..the clinical experience was unreal, the didactics were excellent, I can't speak highly enough of the clinical experience. Really, UIC, University of Chicago, Rush, Loyola, and CCOM faculty trained me...in addition to other private programs. Can't complain.

I think the preclinical training was probably about the same as most other DO schools. But I agree that the clinical years were MUCH more important than the preclinical years.

However, having said all of this, I'd go with the cheapest. Twenty thousand a year is a lot. You will do better if you go to a cheaper school, save the $$, rock the USMLE and COMLEX, and go to your residency of choice. LECOM...yuck...but I consider the disparity in tuition and the compounding interest...just might be worth it.

 

[teacherman84]

Good point... after an unusually crappy snowstorm here in CO my wife gave me a gentle hint that she would prefer the warmer climes.

As in, if I want to stay married, head south.

Keeping your wife happy is always a good motivating factor.Be warned though, with our highest peak just above 300 ft and nowhere near either of those schools, there will be no mountain biking...its off-road biking...and as someone who grew up in and around mountains, it's just not the same.

 

[Mtnbiker]

Keeping your wife happy is always a good motivating factor.Be warned though, with our highest peak just above 300 ft and nowhere near either of those schools, there will be no mountain biking...its off-road biking...and as someone who grew up in and around mountains, it's just not the same.

Thanks for the feedback, guys... it's very helpful.

Regarding the lack of mountain biking... I'll survive that. Not being able to go snowboarding is what'll do me in. I'll just have to drown my sorrow in beer and fresh seafood.