Should I attend next two interviews?

[aburnet2]

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I am not really looking for an answer, just some input and opinions from you guys. I am accepted to KYCOM and absolutely loved the school. I could easily see myself going there and felt like it was a great fit for me. The KYCOM Advantage is also a big plus (where they buy all your books, equip, board fees, board review course, and other great stuff).

I have two more interviews scheduled for Oct so far, which are KCOM and WCUCOM. KCOM's location is kind of in the middle of no where for me. All my family is in Ga and all of my wife's family is in Tx, so I feel like Mo is pretty far from a support system. That would be my biggest beef with the school, is it's location. WCUCOM doesn't have as much of an established rep as KYCOM and hasn't graduated it's first class yet. I can imagine it is a great school regardless but I just like the comfort of an established reputation. Plus I would love to save the money that is takes to travel for the two interviews. I guess I am wondering if you guys think that going to the interviews would be worth it. Again, I really liked KYCOM and felt like it was a great fit for us. I just don't see how another school could wow me as much as KYCOM.

Have you guys been blown away by more than one school? Enough so that it makes it harder to decide?

Side note: I am extremely grateful for the opportunities and never once thought I would be able to ask this question. So for any of you that think I am snoby or feeling a false sense of entitlement, it is certainly not the case. I just want input from people that have been in my shoes or know what being a premed is all about.

 

[MedPR]

I am not really looking for an answer, just some input and opinions from you guys. I am accepted to KYCOM and absolutely loved the school. I could easily see myself going there and felt like it was a great fit for me. The KYCOM Advantage is also a big plus (where they buy all your books, equip, board fees, board review course, and other great stuff).

I have two more interviews scheduled for Oct so far, which are KCOM and WCUCOM. KCOM's location is kind of in the middle of no where for me. All my family is in Ga and all of my wife's family is in Tx, so I feel like Mo is pretty far from a support system. That would be my biggest beef with the school, is it's location. WCUCOM doesn't have as much of an established rep as KYCOM and hasn't graduated it's first class yet. I can imagine it is a great school regardless but I just like the comfort of an established reputation. Plus I would love to save the money that is takes to travel for the two interviews. I guess I am wondering if you guys think that going to the interviews would be worth it. Again, I really liked KYCOM and felt like it was a great fit for us. I just don't see how another school could wow me as much as KYCOM.

Have you guys been blown away by more than one school? Enough so that it makes it harder to decide?

Side note: I am extremely grateful for the opportunities and never once thought I would be able to ask this question. So for any of you that think I am snoby or feeling a false sense of entitlement, it is certainly not the case. I just want input from people that have been in my shoes or know what being a premed is all about.

Two reasons not to attend an interview(s).
1. Can't afford it.
2. You know without a shadow of a doubt that you would not attend no matter how much you may end up liking the school. So for example, if MO is too far from your support system and there's absolutely nothing KCOM has to offer that is of more value than being near your family, then that's a good enough reason not to attend an interview.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

i do not want to start a pissing match or a bash thread, but I might be doing it regardless of my intentions. Throughout the past year, KYCOM has continually been considered the worst DO school out there. Was it fairly awarded? Doubtful, but they went through a of hell when they were getting started. Add that to the fact that KCOM is considered one of the best DO schools out there, there is some dissonance. You say that WCUCOM doesn't have an established rep like KYCOM. Unless something changed this year, that is a good thing.

That being said, it doesn't matter what anyone else said. If you feel it is the best school for you, go there 100% of the time. However if it is the only school that you have seen, you have to see another so you have the comparison. I know nothing about WCUCOM, but KCOM is fantastic. And don't be blinded by fancy buildings and flashy interview days. Look at the match lists, look at the happiness of the students, look at the rotations, the opportunities to become a competitive candidate, and the board pass rates. Last I heard, KYCOM's pass rate was in the 60-70% range, but i have no source to back that up and am not claiming it as reliable. Just hearsay.

If you feel like KYCOM is the best school for you after you have seen some, go there and make the best of it. But if it was your first and only, you can't say that KYCOM wowed you because you are clearly biased as you hold an acceptance.

 

[selttiks288]

I say attend at least one other interview so you can at least compare two schools.

 

[aburnet2]

I say attend at least one other interview so you can at least compare two schools.

Just for clarification, KYCOM was my fourth interview this year.

others were, LECOM-B (wl), LECOM-SH (accepted), MERCER(md school/deferred to regular decision). these are the ones I've attended thus far.

upcoming interviews: ATSU, WCUCOM

both lecom schools were not a good fit for me. I frankly felt like KYCOM was a step above. MERCER good fit but wasn't a great fit like I felt with KYCOM.

I don't know how KYCOM got such a bad rep. Maybe it was with the old building, cuz the new one is really impressive. The students seemed like they really liked it there.

 

[MedPR]

Just for clarification, KYCOM was my fourth interview this year.

others were, LECOM-B (wl), LECOM-SH (accepted), MERCER(md school/deferred to regular decision). these are the ones I've attended thus far.

upcoming interviews: ATSU, WCUCOM

both lecom schools were not a good fit for me. I frankly felt like KYCOM was a step above. MERCER good fit but wasn't a great fit like I felt with KYCOM.

I don't know how KYCOM got such a bad rep. Maybe it was with the old building, cuz the new one is really impressive. The students seemed like they really liked it there.

I don't think KYCOM's bad rep has anything to do with the building.

 

[Mbeas]

KCOM's location is kind of in the middle of no where for me.

lol and Pikeville, Kentucky isn't?

Kirksville is no big city by any means but it's total population/population density is 4x that of Pikeville...

I see what your saying about a support system though, so that's a legitimate factor

P.S. I'm heavily biased

 

[Mehd School]

Typically I would say to take what you love and run with it. I'm going to go another route with this, though.

KCOM is a fantastic school. KYCOM is a statistically ok school, and many would deem that generous. Attend your kcom interview, at least. At the very worst it will cement your love for pikeville.

 

[Mehd School]

I don't think KYCOM's bad rep has anything to do with the building.

I agree. The basic stats of most of their matriculants can be quite off putting.

 

[DopaDO]

When I was going through the interview process, I had a similar situation and feeling that you are experiencing now. I was accepted to several schools that I absolutely loved and were close to my home. When I received an interview invite from KCOM, I can honestly say I was extremely close to canceling it. I thought, Kirksville? Small town? 10+ hours away from home? No thanks, especially with multiple acceptances to schools very close to home. I thought going on this interview would be nothing more than a waste of time especially because I knew there was a 0% chance I'd end up there.

After talking it over with my family, I decided to attend the interview and was wow'ed from the second I stepped foot on campus. The students, faculty, facilities, everything was incredible. I left knowing, that I would end up there (which I did).

While I am biased, I think you would be making a big mistake to not attend the interview. Like everyone else has said, it won't hurt to at least check it out. The facilities, faculty, and clinic rotations rival those of many medical schools (both MD and DO) across the country. As far as Kirksville goes, yes it's small but it really has everything you need. Plus, it's actually really good to not have distractions that you would see in most big cities. Yes, I still frequent the local bar and have fun, but it's easy to buckle down when school gets intense.

Don't make the mistake I almost made, give KCOM a shot!

 

[JeetKuneDo]

What is this "kycom advantage?" Aren't you just paying for everything through tuition and fees anyway? I'd still attend the KCOM interview. Oldest DO school out there.

 

[411309]

I interviewed at lecom b first. Absolutely hated it the entire time I thought to myself "I really hope I get more interviews".. Then I ended up getting 3 more invites to Alabama., at stills soma, and touro nv. I went to acom and ended up choosing acom. Why? Even though it's a new school I'm not worried at all. I knew they were going to give us whatever we needed to do well and from there it's up to us to succeed just like any other DO school. So really an established rep doesn't mean too much to me, because I believe my success will ultimately come down to me. I looked into soma and compared it with acom and realized acom was also way cheaper. I will prob save more than 80k by going to acom. I liked soma, but I loved acom more and 80k just can't justify me going to the interview when i know I like acom. Also with acom I would have close friends not too far at USA and family around 3 hours away. That's also a bonus. These are just factors I want you to consider. I think cost is very important and i knowing people regret going to way more expensive location. Consider the location. Look at cost of living, whose in the area, etc. Look at match rates too but still like I said I believe how well you do ultimately depends on you and not the school. All do schools give you the potential great success there really is no "wrong" one. Now you have to narrow it between how you felt at the itervirw, how the school treated you, cost and location. That's my thoughts.

 

[Mbeas]

I knew they were going to give us whatever we needed to do well and from there it's up to us to succeed just like any other DO school. So really an established rep doesn't mean too much to me, because I believe my success will ultimately come down to me.,, All do schools give you the potential great success there really is no "wrong" one.

It's up to YOU to do well in any medical school (not unique to DO schools). No school is going to spoon feed you everything.

Also, just wanted to clarify something that gets spewed too often by pre-meds: not all DO (or MD) schools are equal, as much as you'd like to believe it. There may not be official rankings, but to argue that [older, established school]=[new school without any reputation] is naive.

ColeSmalls: not picking on your decision at all...I'm sure ACOM will turn out great. I just wanted to clarify the quoted sentences.

 

[411309]

Also, just wanted to clarify something that gets spewed too often by pre-meds: not all DO (or MD) schools are equal, as much as you'd like to believe it. There may not be official rankings, but to argue that [older, established school]=[new school without any reputation] is naive.
.

See I wonder how far reputation really goes if I wanted to match into an MD residency for example. Does one residency program know the difference between DMU and kycom? If so, realistcally how much would it play into their decision if the kycom student had higher board scores, was at the top of his class, and had a better overall application/interview skills. I have a heard a lot of opinions on this matter really. I heard that a lot of residency programs basically look at all DO schools in the same light and just judge based upon the applicant.

Again, im not saying you're wrong. I'm just saying I wonder how much exactly where you go to plays a factor in where you end up, if anything for DO schools. Tbh, I think that older schools have better match rates (DO anyways) because they tend to recruit more academically qualified students. A school like KYCOM recruits people with lower MCAT scores typically and a school like DMU recruits those with higher MCAT scores so DMU tends to have higher board scores then hello better match list. But you still see people from KYCOM match into stuff like general surgery because there are still people there that excel.

 

[DopaDO]

See I wonder how far reputation really goes if I wanted to match into an MD residency for example. Does one residency program know the difference between DMU and kycom? If so, realistcally how much would it play into their decision if the kycom student had higher board scores, was at the top of his class, and had a better overall application/interview skills. I have a heard a lot of opinions on this matter really. I heard that a lot of residency programs basically look at all DO schools in the same light and just judge based upon the applicant.

Again, im not saying you're wrong. I'm just saying I wonder how much exactly where you go to plays a factor in where you end up, if anything for DO schools. Tbh, I think that older schools have better match rates (DO anyways) because they tend to recruit more academically qualified students. A school like KYCOM recruits people with lower MCAT scores typically and a school like DMU recruits those with higher MCAT scores so DMU tends to have higher board scores then hello better match list. But you still see people from KYCOM match into stuff like general surgery because there are still people there that excel.

For the most part, all that really matters are boards scores for getting an ACGME residency. However, this is where the difference occurs between new schools and older schools. While older schools like KCOM might have a higher average MCAT than a place like ACOM, KCOM has been around, graduated over 100 classes, and knows how to prepare there student well. I have heard horror stories from some students who go to newer DO schools regarding both clinical and preclinical years.

Also another major difference between the established and newer schools are the clinical rotations. You don't learn how to become a doctor during your first two years. It's during clinical years and residency. It's going to be quite tough to impress on your audition rotations if your clinical years set up by your school were not of good quality.

I'm not saying the above is true for everyone, no doubt you can suceed at any medical school, but some schools give you a greater path and chance to be successful. KCOM is one of those schools.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

See I wonder how far reputation really goes if I wanted to match into an MD residency for example. Does one residency program know the difference between DMU and kycom? If so, realistcally how much would it play into their decision if the kycom student had higher board scores, was at the top of his class, and had a better overall application/interview skills. I have a heard a lot of opinions on this matter really. I heard that a lot of residency programs basically look at all DO schools in the same light and just judge based upon the applicant.

It goes a long way whether you want it to or not. Sure, if the KYCOM or ACOM student had ridiculously better scores than the DMU student, sure but then the DMU student shouldn't have been applying to that residency. And that is hardly ever the case. If all students are equal and the MD residency has taken DOs in the past, the DMU alumni network is so large that the chances are that they have previously had a DMU graduate or even multiple ones, and chances are that any DOs working around the hospital is a DMU graduate. And to say that a DMU grad isn't going to be biased toward another DMU grad is asinine. Premeds underestimate the value of a huge alumni network and I can guarantee that unless your board scores are leagues ahead a PD is going to be taking a chance on you which many won't do.

Add that to the fact that DMU has been around since 1898 so the PD can say "well they really have their stuff together." And I am not praising DMU specifically, but it is the example you chose. So yes, the DMU grad will be way ahead of the KYCOM grad in a realistic application.

Again, im not saying you're wrong. I'm just saying I wonder how much exactly where you go to plays a factor in where you end up, if anything for DO schools. Tbh, I think that older schools have better match rates (DO anyways) because they tend to recruit more academically qualified students. A school like KYCOM recruits people with lower MCAT scores typically and a school like DMU recruits those with higher MCAT scores so DMU tends to have higher board scores then hello better match list. But you still see people from KYCOM match into stuff like general surgery because there are still people there that excel.

So the fallacy with this statement is that you confirm DMU's higher average results in a higher board score? Isn't that good? And the problem is that you say "people at KYCOM" but you have to understand that the odds are it won't be you. It may be, but the odds are against you. In orientation, DMU was talking about passing vs. being competitive and they said that "50% are going to be in the bottom half of your class, and 80% are thinking right now that it isn't going to be me." So when someone goes to an established school, be it DMU, KCOM, KCUMB, whatever, you are broadening your odds for being a successful candidate.

 

[411309]

So the fallacy with this statement is that you confirm DMU's higher average results in a higher board score? Isn't that good? And the problem is that you say "people at KYCOM" but you have to understand that the odds are it won't be you. It may be, but the odds are against you. In orientation, DMU was talking about passing vs. being competitive and they said that "50% are going to be in the bottom half of your class, and 80% are thinking right now that it isn't going to be me." So when someone goes to an established school, be it DMU, KCOM, KCUMB, whatever, you are broadening your odds for being a successful candidate.

i think you took most of what I said the wrong way completely, lol. I don't have the misconception that I will be number one in my class without a doubt. I realize how difficult it's going to be. I'm confident that I will be able to do ok, but beyond that I don't really even know where ill end up as far as class rank. Honestly though, funny story: my premed committee and several SDN people told me the odds were against me that I would get accepted into DO school and interview at multiple places, lol. I dunno, I just feel like that's a little irony. My point with the DMU thing, is that DMU stacks the deck by recruiting the best academically qualified students, and they go on to do quite well. And that the same academically qualified student that went to DMU was probably smart enough to do just as well at many other DO schools. Obviously im not insulting your school, I think DMU is a great school which is why they can afford to be so picky.

And with established alumni support, yeah I can see that helping in some cases but what i'm trying to point out is that if you can do well at one DO school, chances are you can do well at another.


Dopa, you made a few good points too. Being the guinea pigs in a new curriculum can give some challenges, but hey it's med school nothing is 100% perfect so im going to work hard and do my best like every other student.

 

[cliquesh]

See I wonder how far reputation really goes if I wanted to match into an MD residency for example. Does one residency program know the difference between DMU and kycom? If so, realistcally how much would it play into their decision if the kycom student had higher board scores, was at the top of his class, and had a better overall application/interview skills. I have a heard a lot of opinions on this matter really. I heard that a lot of residency programs basically look at all DO schools in the same light and just judge based upon the applicant.

Again, im not saying you're wrong. I'm just saying I wonder how much exactly where you go to plays a factor in where you end up, if anything for DO schools. Tbh, I think that older schools have better match rates (DO anyways) because they tend to recruit more academically qualified students. A school like KYCOM recruits people with lower MCAT scores typically and a school like DMU recruits those with higher MCAT scores so DMU tends to have higher board scores then hello better match list. But you still see people from KYCOM match into stuff like general surgery because there are still people there that excel.

I don't think it matters. I think most Acgme program directors lump all DO schools together. There is probably some regional bias, however. Acgme programs in Philadelphia, for instance, are probably more likely to take applicants from PCOM or LeCom, but I doubt it's a huge bias.

 

[Machine33]

What is this "kycom advantage?" Aren't you just paying for everything through tuition and fees anyway? I'd still attend the KCOM interview. Oldest DO school out there.

They basically pay for everything and their tuition is the 5th cheapest among any private medical school in the country.

 

[MedPR]

See I wonder how far reputation really goes if I wanted to match into an MD residency for example. Does one residency program know the difference between DMU and kycom?

If DMU annually puts out solid students that match ACGME (especially at your particular program of interest), then that ACGME program is more likely to accept futuer DMU grads because they have had good experiences with them in the past. That's true for any school.

What med school you attend does matter and does affect your residency chances to some extent. The top student from an unknown/unfamiliar school will not have as much of a chance as a top 5-10% student from a school that the residency program knows is reputable.

Edit: Which online retailer would you rather buy from. The place with 100% positive reviews on 5 sales, or the place with 90% positive reviews on 1 million sales?

 

[Machine33]

Just for clarification, KYCOM was my fourth interview this year.

others were, LECOM-B (wl), LECOM-SH (accepted), MERCER(md school/deferred to regular decision). these are the ones I've attended thus far.

upcoming interviews: ATSU, WCUCOM

both lecom schools were not a good fit for me. I frankly felt like KYCOM was a step above. MERCER good fit but wasn't a great fit like I felt with KYCOM.

I don't know how KYCOM got such a bad rep. Maybe it was with the old building, cuz the new one is really impressive. The students seemed like they really liked it there.

I think the bad rep came from lower than average entrance stats and the withholding of match lists. I can see the match list thing but don't other schools have just as low stats? Plus, their mission is to produce rural, primary care practitioners. So that shouldn't be much of a surprise, I feel like lol. One of the student said that ultimately it's your life and if you want to specialize, the school isn't going to frown upon you.

 

[MedPR]

I think the bad rep came from lower than average entrance stats and the withholding of match lists. I can see the match list thing but don't other schools have just as low stats? Plus, their mission is to produce rural, primary care practitioners. So that shouldn't be much of a surprise, I feel like lol. One of the student said that ultimately it's your life and if you want to specialize, the school isn't going to frown upon you.

I don't think any school has lower stats than KYCOM.

 

[aburnet2]

thanks guys for the input, it was definitely helpful. I have decided to at least attend the interview at KCOM but will have to see what the school offers. Also if it can justify moving 12hrs from one family and 18hrs from the other. I figure I shouldn't pass an opportunity for the oldest/established DO school there is. Plus it may very well impress me more than KYCOM.

Regardless of the outcome, I can still say that I will be entering Med School in the upcoming year and that is a huge relief/feeling of accomplishment. I am very grateful to have these tough decisions lol.

Thanks guys, best of luck to everyone.

 

[411309]

If DMU annually puts out solid students that match ACGME (especially at your particular program of interest), then that ACGME program is more likely to accept futuer DMU grads because they have had good experiences with them in the past. That's true for any school.

What med school you attend does matter and does affect your residency chances to some extent. The top student from an unknown/unfamiliar school will not have as much of a chance as a top 5-10% student from a school that the residency program knows is reputable.

Edit: Which online retailer would you rather buy from. The place with 100% positive reviews on 5 sales, or the place with 90% positive reviews on 1 million sales?

but by your logic the effect is pretty minimal anyways and chances are if you do well at the unknown school you're going to do well in getting a good residency, lol

 

[Machine33]

I don't think any school has lower stats than KYCOM.

From the underdog thread, Lmu-Dcom, William Carey, Edward via and wvsom are all in the same vicinity. Plus many others are very close in terms of like 1 pt higher mcat but lower GPA.

If you are in line with kycom, you will be in line with some others too. Yet KYCOM gets all the hate lol

 

[411309]

also ive learned to only believe about 5% of what you read on SDN cause the other 95% is stuff that one person made up, sounded cool, and several other people adopted lol.

OP i think you made the right choice going to the interview, if you have the money it's good to have at least a few schools to compare between.

 

[411309]

From the underdog thread, Lmu-Dcom, William Carey, Edward via and wvsom are all in the same vicinity. Plus many others are very close in terms of like 1 pt higher mcat but lower GPA.

If you are in line with kycom, you will be in line with some others too. Yet KYCOM gets all the hate lol

yeah, tbh I think people just need a school to hate so they can feel awesome about their own school lol. The fact is every DO school is good, it's just sometimes the people in them suck and shouldn't be there.

 

[michow87]

If DMU annually puts out solid students that match ACGME (especially at your particular program of interest), then that ACGME program is more likely to accept futuer DMU grads because they have had good experiences with them in the past. That's true for any school.

This. We had an MD from WashU that specializes in Surgical Oncology tell us (members of the surgery club) this almost verbatim. This is the what makes going to a school like DMU, KCOM, CCOM more beneficial (academically) than schools like ACOM, KYCOM, etc.

Note that I mentioned that attendance to a more established school is beneficial academically. There are always other factors outside the realm of academia that may make a less established school more beneficial to an applicant (ex. family, convenience, etc.)

 

[411309]

This. We had an MD from WashU that specializes in Surgical Oncology tell us (members of the surgery club) this almost verbatim. This is the what makes going to a school like DMU, KCOM, CCOM more beneficial (academically) than schools like ACOM, KYCOM, etc.

is he a residency director? I mean no offense and don't take this the wrong way but I could easily have another MD tell me the opposite and why would your guy be more qualified than mine? lol. Plus it's a little different for MD than DO.

I mean, I have had several MDs tell me that it's better to do carib over DO. But if your guy is actively involved in bringing in residents then I would be inclinedto believe you more.

 

[michow87]

is he a residency director? I mean no offense and don't take this the wrong way but I could easily have another MD tell me the opposite and why would your guy be more qualified than mine? lol. Plus it's a little different for MD than DO.

I mean, I have had several MDs tell me that it's better to do carib over DO. But if your guy is actively involved in bringing in residents then I would be inclinedto believe you more.

Yes, he is the residency director and said that he doesn't discriminate against MD and DO. He also spent 50 minutes talking to us about what surgery entails, what he does, and what he looks for in potential residents. He mentioned how he chooses residents and explained the factors that affect his decision

 

[411309]

Yes, he is the residency director

well that changes things a ton, and you should have mentioned that originally, lol.

 

[michow87]

well that changes things a ton, and you should have mentioned that originally, lol.

😛 I edited my post to give you some more background about this specific club meeting.

 

[MedPR]

but by your logic the effect is pretty minimal anyways and chances are if you do well at the unknown school you're going to do well in getting a good residency, lol

How so? My logic states that being from a school that has a good relationship with a residency program = increases your chances. And being from a school with no relationship = makes it that much harder for you to prove yourself in an away rotation.

And no, I didn't say anything close to doing well in med school == doing well in residency.. This is especially not true for schools (like many of the DO schools) that do a high volume of core rotations in smaller hospitals. I'm not saying core rotations in smaller hospitals means that you will necessarily do poorly in a big hospital, I'm saying they are different environments.

For one, doing well on boards =/= doing well in wards. For two, doing well in community rotations =/= doing well in a large academic hospital (the setting for most competitive/good residency programs). In other words, pre-clinicals and boards are a completely different animal than actual doctoring and community hospitals are completely different than large academic hospitals.

 

[DrBowtie]

Yes, he is the residency director and said that he doesn't discriminate against MD and DO. He also spent 50 minutes talking to us about what surgery entails, what he does, and what he looks for in potential residents. He mentioned how he chooses residents and explained the factors that affect his decision

.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

....but they don't have a single DO currently nor have they had one since at least 2003 incoming class (last years listed).

what? he is the residency director for a dually accredited program that is affiliated with DMU. that just doesn't make any sense. as far as I know, they have exclusively DO residents.

 

[michow87]

....but they don't have a single DO currently nor have they had one since at least 2003 incoming class (last years listed).

He's not the residency director at WashU.

 

[DrBowtie]

what? he is the residency director for a dually accredited program that is affiliated with DMU. that just doesn't make any sense. as far as I know, they have exclusively DO residents.

He's not the residency director at WashU.

My apologies. I read from WashU as in the PD from WashU.

 

[MedPR]

My apologies. I read from WashU as in the PD from WashU.

I did too.