Should I go to LECOM?

[deleted1113995]

I have been fortunate to have received multiple interviews this cycle. Just recently I got into LECOM Erie for the lecture discussion pathway. While I am happy about the acceptance, I just finished interviewing at DMU and CCOM (Midwestern) recently, and will most likely be hearing back from each of them in the next week or two. My biggest concern is that I want to go to a program that will give me a solid chance at a mildly competitive specialty (radiology or anesthesia) in the midwest later down the road if my board scores are good. I have heard a lot of people mention that there is no such thing as prestige between DO schools, but at the same time SDN always points out that schools like DMU, CCOM, and MSUCOM are considered to be the "best". LECOM really has a nice tuition and I know they tend to be strict with water in lecture and dressing up, but I can look past that given the tuition. Another thing is I opted for early decision with LECOM so I will need to make a deposit in the next month if I wanna secure my seat. So ultimately my question is are DMU or CCOM gonna be justifiably "better" for me down the road if I decide to pursue a mildly competitive specialty like radiology or anesthesiology, or will LECOM get me to where I want to go given that I put in the effort during med school. I would really wanna hear from students in these programs or even from applicants who were or are in a similar situation as me so I could get another perspective. Thank you in advance everyone!

P.S. I have looked at each of these programs match lists and they all look really similar to me (bread and butter: FM/IM with about 5% of the class for each gas and rads)

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[Schwifty]

I have been fortunate to have received multiple interviews this cycle. Just recently I got into LECOM Erie for the lecture discussion pathway. While I am happy about the acceptance, I just finished interviewing at DMU and CCOM (Midwestern) recently, and will most likely be hearing back from each of them in the next week or two. My biggest concern is that I want to go to a program that will give me a solid chance at a mildly competitive specialty (radiology or anesthesia) in the midwest later down the road if my board scores are good. I have heard a lot of people mention that there is no such thing as prestige between DO schools, but at the same time SDN always points out that schools like DMU, CCOM, and MSUCOM (my home state school but no interview ) are considered to be the "best". LECOM really has a nice tuition and I know they tend to be strict with water in lecture and dressing up, but I can look past that given the tuition. Another thing is I opted for early decision with LECOM so I will need to make a deposit in the next month if I wanna secure my seat. So ultimately my question is are DMU or CCOM gonna be justifiably "better" for me down the road if I decide to pursue a mildly competitive specialty like radiology or anesthesiology, or will LECOM get me to where I want to go given that I put in the effort during med school. I would really wanna hear from students in these programs or even from applicants who were or are in a similar situation as me so I could get another perspective. Thank you in advance everyone!

P.S. I have looked at each of these programs match lists and they all look really similar to me (bread and butter: FM/IM with about 5% of the class for each gas and rads)

What’s the price difference between LECOM and DMU? CCOM is like $80k if I remember so I would 100% not go there unless you are in the military and they are paying for it.

 

[deleted1113995]

What’s the price difference between LECOM and DMU? CCOM is like $80k if I remember so I would 100% not go there unless you are in the military and they are paying for it.

I just checked and the tuition for DMU is 55,000 whereas LECOM is 32,000 so I would still say pretty significant. I do agree about CCOM but at the interview the administration at CCOM prided themselves that like 30% of the class didn't go into primary care. Idk if that is worth the steep price to pay.

 

[Schwifty]

I just checked and the tuition for DMU is 55,000 whereas LECOM is 32,000 so I would still say pretty significant. I do agree about CCOM but at the interview the administration at CCOM prided themselves that like 30% of the class didn't go into primary care. Idk if that is worth the steep price to pay.

Ya $23k per year is a lot, I almost always say go with the cheaper school unless it’s like a super new school or if it’s on @Goro bad boy list (not sure if LECOM is on there). You also said that the school match lists look similar for gas and rads. So it doesn’t look like the school has really any impact there, it’s gonna be up to you to match what you want.

Also, there is no way to justify how expensive CCOM is and 30% not going into primary just means that 70% did go into primary lol

 

[Goro]

Ya $23k per year is a lot, I almost always say go with the cheaper school unless it’s like a super new school or if it’s on @Goro bad boy list (not sure if LECOM is on there). You also said that the school match lists look similar for gas and rads. So it doesn’t look like the school has really any impact there, it’s gonna be up to you to match what you want.

Also, there is no way to justify how expensive CCOM is and 30% not going into primary just means that 70% did go into primary lol

LECOM is fine. Just be aware of the mandatory lecture attendance and dress policies.

 

[deleted1113995]

Ya $23k per year is a lot, I almost always say go with the cheaper school unless it’s like a super new school or if it’s on @Goro bad boy list (not sure if LECOM is on there). You also said that the school match lists look similar for gas and rads. So it doesn’t look like the school has really any impact there, it’s gonna be up to you to match what you want.

Also, there is no way to justify how expensive CCOM is and 30% not going into primary just means that 70% did go into primary lol

Yea that is a good point, I appreciate the input

 

[deleted1113995]

LECOM is fine. Just be aware of the mandatory lecture attendance and dress policies.

Even tho I am not a fan of mandatory lectures, I would endure them for that tuition. Thanks Goro

 

[Kardio]

Even tho I am not a fan of mandatory lectures, I would endure them for that tuition. Thanks Goro

Just pretend that you’re paying yourself like $40 for every hour you’re required to be in lecture

 

[Angus Avagadro]

I have been fortunate to have received multiple interviews this cycle. Just recently I got into LECOM Erie for the lecture discussion pathway. While I am happy about the acceptance, I just finished interviewing at DMU and CCOM (Midwestern) recently, and will most likely be hearing back from each of them in the next week or two. My biggest concern is that I want to go to a program that will give me a solid chance at a mildly competitive specialty (radiology or anesthesia) in the midwest later down the road if my board scores are good. I have heard a lot of people mention that there is no such thing as prestige between DO schools, but at the same time SDN always points out that schools like DMU, CCOM, and MSUCOM (my home state school but no interview ) are considered to be the "best". LECOM really has a nice tuition and I know they tend to be strict with water in lecture and dressing up, but I can look past that given the tuition. Another thing is I opted for early decision with LECOM so I will need to make a deposit in the next month if I wanna secure my seat. So ultimately my question is are DMU or CCOM gonna be justifiably "better" for me down the road if I decide to pursue a mildly competitive specialty like radiology or anesthesiology, or will LECOM get me to where I want to go given that I put in the effort during med school. I would really wanna hear from students in these programs or even from applicants who were or are in a similar situation as me so I could get another perspective. Thank you in advance everyone!

P.S. I have looked at each of these programs match lists and they all look really similar to me (bread and butter: FM/IM with about 5% of the class for each gas and rads)

I may be wrong, but I don't think those schools match is significantly better than Lecom. You mentioned tuition, which is a very important consideration. LECOM also has several learning pathways. Lecture, PBL and Independent Study. So if sitting in lecture isn't your thing, then there are options. They have a newer campus somewhere in rural New York state and I don't think they have graduated a class yet. That campus has no regional reputation and probably is still working out bugs in curriculum and faculty. Something to consider and I personally would avoid. Good luck and best wishes!

 

[Princeton Medical Student]

LECOM basically pays you 20k/year to sit in lecture. For that reason alone, I'd take a LECOM acceptance over any other higher ranked DO.

 

[Ho0v-man]

I passed on lecoms sweet tuition to go to a “better” school. Really wish I had that $80k+ right about now.

N=1. As someone who just matched rads, a lot of my interviews were regional to my school, despite me being from a different region FWIW. So there may be some value in training where you want to end up. But I don’t know if that vague value is really equal to $80k.

 

[premedpl]

Chiming in here! I am in the EXACT same situation right now, albeit with another LECOM campus. I would love to PM and talk this out with someone in the same boat.

 

[Angus Avagadro]

Chiming in here! I am in the EXACT same situation right now, albeit with another LECOM campus. I would love to PM and talk this out with someone in the same boat.

If I'm correct, all of the other campuses are PBL pathways. If PBL is not your learning style, and for some it isnt, it's something to think about. I am more auditory and do better with lectures than if I had to just read and integrate everything myself. The tuition difference is nothing to sneeze at. I don't know your financial status, but with rising interest rates, it will accumulate to a considerable amount. Good luck and best wishes!

 

[RonaldinhoisKing]

Current 2nd year student at LECOM Erie. Would highly advise you to think about coming here. They make everything mandatory and we have tests/quizzes every week so constant stress. And we have random OPP practicals and orals which are 50% of our grade. So choose wisely.

 

[Angus Avagadro]

Their board scores and match lists are pretty solid .Plus they have been around for quite awhile so something must be working. Pre clinical is VERY stressful for all but the elite students. Hang in there. Don't focus on what other people are doing. Run your own race and do what's best for you. You will be on rotations before you know it. Good luck and best wishes.

 

[ortnakas]

Just pretend that you’re paying yourself like $40 for every hour you’re required to be in lecture

Plus interest.

I graduated from LECOM (a few years ago). I have several friends who are now surgeons, radiologists, anesthesiologists, even *gasp* a few dermatologists. LECOM has some extremely annoying administrative policies but gives a good education at the end of the day and if your goal is “reasonably competitive in the Midwest” LECOM can get you there just fine.

 

[Ho0v-man]

Current 2nd year student at LECOM Erie. Would highly advise you to think about coming here. They make everything mandatory and we have tests/quizzes every week so constant stress. And we have random OPP practicals and orals which are 50% of our grade. So choose wisely.

I saw stuff like this, as well as the other stuff you see when you look into lecom. Got a little gun shy and went elsewhere.

But it’s stupid and annoying in preclinical everywhere. In lecom you’re just doing the same **** in a tie.

 

[BioPsychotic]

I saw stuff like this, as well as the other stuff you see when you look into lecom. Got a little gun shy and went elsewhere.

But it’s stupid and annoying in preclinical everywhere. In lecom you’re just doing the same **** in a tie.

if ya gonna stress ya might as well look good doin it

 

[Konigstiger]

I've heard it's a good school as far as DO schools go. Got accepted there but personally it wouldn't be good for me since at my current school I don't ever attend lectures and mandatory attendance would reduce my free time by a lot.

Many people in this thread mention cost as a factor, though the cost difference between LECOM and most other medical schools will probably be minor in the long run considering your eventual attending salary, more so if you go into something competitive.

If the mandatory lectures and all their rules don't bother you, then yeah, it's not a bad choice at all.

 

[chemgirl97]

Current 2nd year student at LECOM Erie. Would highly advise you to think about coming here. They make everything mandatory and we have tests/quizzes every week so constant stress. And we have random OPP practicals and orals which are 50% of our grade. So choose wisely.

Do you know if the policies at Erie are the same at LECOM Bradenton?

 

[Angus Avagadro]

I've heard it's a good school as far as DO schools go. Got accepted there but personally it wouldn't be good for me since at my current school I don't ever attend lectures and mandatory attendance would reduce my free time by a lot.

Many people in this thread mention cost as a factor, though the cost difference between LECOM and most other medical schools will probably be minor in the long run considering your eventual attending salary, more so if you go into something competitive.

If the mandatory lectures and all their rules don't bother you, then yeah, it's not a bad choice at all.

I disagree with the cost difference being minor over the long run. You probably haven't paid anything off over a long period of time, like a car loan or home mortgage. This is understandable. Many students have never been employed at a real job. Debt is tyranny, meaning you get up every day, go to work to pay someone else first. Then you get paid. The 30k a year tuition difference or more in many circumstances turns into real cash over the 4 yrs of med school and at least 3yrs of residency. Like 150 to200 k. Then, when finished with residency, are you going to treat yourself with a porche or new home? Or do you continue to live like a resident for 7 to 10 yrs?
Hey, if 150k is worth it to you to live in your PJ'S for less than 2 yrs,( you get the summer after MS1 off), the go for it. My wife and I put ourselves through college and med school. It would not be worth it to.me

 

[Konigstiger]

I disagree with the cost difference being minor over the long run. You probably haven't paid anything off over a long period of time, like a car loan or home mortgage. This is understandable. Many students have never been employed at a real job. Debt is tyranny, meaning you get up every day, go to work to pay someone else first. Then you get paid.

You're going to be in debt either way. Not sure why you're acting like going to LECOM is somehow going rid you of this "tyranny." You might be able to pay if off sooner, but trying to make it out like the choice is between LECOM and eternal "tyranny" is bizarre.

The 30k a year tuition difference or more in many circumstances turns into real cash over the 4 yrs of med school and at least 3yrs of residency. Like 150 to200 k. Then, when finished with residency, are you going to treat yourself with a porche or new home? Or do you continue to live like a resident for 7 to 10 yrs?

So you're trying to tell me that if you don't go to LECOM, you will have to live like a resident for 7-10 years and that all LECOM grads don't do this and instead can buy a porche or a home straight out of residency? I somehow doubt that's true.

Hey, if 150k is worth it to you to live in your PJ'S for less than 2 yrs,( you get the summer after MS1 off), the go for it. My wife and I put ourselves through college and med school. It would not be worth it to.me

It's not just "living in your PJs," it's the immense amount of time you save and the BS that you avoid. Your entire post is full of exaggerations, which makes it sound like you've got a huge bias. Personally I've got no skin in this game since I'm on a military scholarship and won't be paying anything anyway, so I'm trying to be as objective as possible.

 

[Angus Avagadro]

You're going to be in debt either way. Not sure why you're acting like going to LECOM is somehow going rid you of this "tyranny." You might be able to pay if off sooner, but trying to make it out like the choice is between LECOM and eternal "tyranny" is bizarre.

So you're trying to tell me that if you don't go to LECOM, you will have to live like a resident for 7-10 years and that all LECOM grads don't do this and instead can buy a porche or a home straight out of residency? I somehow doubt that's true.

It's not just "living in your PJs," it's the immense amount of time you save and the BS that you avoid. Your entire post is full of exaggerations, which makes it sound like you've got a huge bias. Personally I've got no skin in this game since I'm on a military scholarship and won't be paying anything anyway, so I'm trying to be as objective as possible.

First, thanks for your future service. You attempted to infer I made some comments about eternal tyranny and I won't reply to straw man remarks.
Second, I didn't say anything inaccurate. 200k difference between LECOM and schools with Tuitions like Chicago's which is $71,099, without living expenses is not unrealistic. Its like $40,000 per year difference in tuition only, so $140,000 difference over 4 years. Remember people borrow for living expenses too. That could add 20 to 30k a year to the 140k. Going to a cheaper school makes sense to me, and in this case, it's LECOM. You would be looking at roughly 208k to go there,(32k tuition and 20k living exp over 4 years). So go to Chicago COM and spend 364K , (284k tuition and 20k living expenses per year, which I think is too low, but keeping things the same), You get the privilege of paying an extra $156,000, at least. So my post is not "Full of exaggerations" as you suggest. I do have a bias to go to the less expensive school, unless it is a new school. But if a student has family paying their bills, it's their choice.
Third, I agree with you that you would probably pay of the debt sooner, ending the tyranny. I have lived the student loan route and have no regrets. My wife and I are overpaid specialists and it still took 10 yrs of aggressive loan repayment to get out from under them. The debt load is much higher for med students now than when we were in school.

("It's not just "living in your PJs," it's the immense amount of time you save and the BS that you avoid."), ... And you chose the military?

" Personally I've got no skin in this game"...I think if you did, you might have a different perspective. If I went to LECOM, I would look at it like I was getting paid to wear a tie at school.
Anyway, thanks for your reply. Good luck to you. I have several friends and classmates who are career military and they are still in, even though they have 20+ years of service. One was a White House physician. I hope your experience is as rewarding as theirs.

 

[Konigstiger]

You attempted to infer I made some comments about eternal tyranny and I won't reply to straw man remarks.

It wasn't really a strawman when it was a literal quote from you, but okay.

Second, I didn't say anything inaccurate. 200k difference between LECOM and schools with Tuitions like Chicago's which is $71,099, without living expenses is not unrealistic.

So you're choosing the most expensive DO school to compare LECOM with? Even if you're talking about OP's situation specifically, they didn't say their only two choices were LECOM and CCOM.

Its like $40,000 per year difference in tuition only, so $140,000 difference over 4 years. Remember people borrow for living expenses too. That could add 20 to 30k a year to the 140k. Going to a cheaper school makes sense to me, and in this case, it's LECOM. You would be looking at roughly 208k to go there,(32k tuition and 20k living exp over 4 years). So go to Chicago COM and spend 364K , (284k tuition and 20k living expenses per year, which I think is too low, but keeping things the same), You get the privilege of paying an extra $156,000, at least. So my post is not "Full of exaggerations" as you suggest.

All right, fine, let's use CCOM as an example. I'll trust your math and agree that the total difference is indeed $156k. Is $156k the difference between a physician being able to buy a house and a Porsche straight out of residency vs living like a resident for 7-10 years? If not, then yes, your post was full of exaggerations because those were the exact examples you used. And even this is using the most expensive school as a comparison to LECOM lol.

("It's not just "living in your PJs," it's the immense amount of time you save and the BS that you avoid."), ... And you chose the military?

Yes, because I'm not motivated purely by one factor, whether that factor be money or ridiculous rules. I have personal reasons for wanting to serve which trump the BS of the military, just like for you, you had monetary reasons for going to LECOM that trumped the BS of LECOM. Not sure why you're acting so surprised.

But since you're bringing up the military, that only further serves to prove my point. The vast majority of military physicians would say to avoid the military if you're only in it for the money. And unlike LECOM, which saves $156k, going to the military would save $364k, and yet people still say not to join for monetary reasons, showing that there are factors that matter more than just money when picking whatever path you've chosen.

" Personally I've got no skin in this game"...I think if you did, you might have a different perspective. If I went to LECOM, I would look at it like I was getting paid to wear a tie at school.

This is why I said your post is full of exaggerations. You're once again ignoring the amount of time saved by avoiding mandatory lectures and all the other things I mentioned as just "wearing a tie."

And nah, I think my opinion carries a bit more weight in this instance than it normally would considering I don't feel the need to justify my choice of school. Some people may want to advocate for LECOM because they went there or because the grass is always greener on the other side now that they're paying their debts, but none of that applies to me.

Anyway, thanks for your reply. Good luck to you. I have several friends and classmates who are career military and they are still in, even though they have 20+ years of service. One was a White House physician. I hope your experience is as rewarding as theirs.

Assuming you're being genuine, thank you.

 

[Ho0v-man]

I’ll just add in that lecom has more strict rules than other schools. But not by much. My school didn’t have mandatory attendance. But there was still a reason to spend most of the day on campus every day. Med school is not just lectures.

While comparing the lecom to the most expensive school is extreme. It’s likely that going to almost any other osteopathic school will cost 80k more over 4 years. That same degree is not worth that much money.

You're going to be in debt either way. Not sure why you're acting like going to LECOM is somehow going rid you of this "tyranny." You might be able to pay if off sooner, but trying to make it out like the choice is between LECOM and eternal "tyranny" is bizarre.

So you're trying to tell me that if you don't go to LECOM, you will have to live like a resident for 7-10 years and that all LECOM grads don't do this and instead can buy a porche or a home straight out of residency? I somehow doubt that's true.

It's not just "living in your PJs," it's the immense amount of time you save and the BS that you avoid. Your entire post is full of exaggerations, which makes it sound like you've got a huge bias. Personally I've got no skin in this game since I'm on a military scholarship and won't be paying anything anyway, so I'm trying to be as objective as possible.

A premed arguing the importance of tuition with an attending who’s paid off their loans is similar to a high school student telling you how easy it is to crush the mcat. Your point would have more merit if you had ever done it.

You should probably consider the possibility that the person who’s actually done the thing you’re talking about probably has a better handle on it than you do. In fact, if you begin to accept that now, it’s going to make the next 7+ years of your life much easier.

Edit: poster is a preclinical med student. Doesn’t change my point though tbh.

 

[Angus Avagadro]

It wasn't really a strawman when it was a literal quote from you, but okay.

So you're choosing the most expensive DO school to compare LECOM with? Even if you're talking about OP's situation specifically, they didn't say otheir only two choices were LECOM and CCOM.

All right, fine, let's use CCOM as an example. I'll trust your math and agree that the total difference is indeed $156k. Is $156k the difference between a physician being able to buy a house and a Porsche straight out of residency vs living like a resident for 7-10 years? If not, then yes, your post was full of exaggerations because those were the exact examples you used. And even this is using the most expensive school as a comparison to LECOM lol.


Yes, because I'm not motivated purely by one factor, whether that factor be money or ridiculous rules. I have personal reasons for wanting to serve which trump the BS of the military, just like for you, you had monetary reasons for going to LECOM that trumped the BS of LECOM. Not sure why you're acting so surprised.

But since you're bringing up the military, that only further serves to prove my point. The vast majority of military physicians would say to avoid the military if you're only in it for the money. And unlike LECOM, which saves $156k, going to the military would save $364k, and yet people still say not to join for monetary reasons, showing that there are factors that matter more than just money when picking whatever path you've chosen.

This is why I said your post is full of exaggerations. You're once again ignoring the amount of time saved by avoiding mandatory lectures and all the other things I mentioned as just "wearing a tie."

And nah, I think my opinion carries a bit more weight in this instance than it normally would considering I don't feel the need to justify my choice of school. Some people may want to advocate for LECOM because they went there or because the grass is always greener on the other side now that they're paying their debts, but none of that applies to me.

Assuming you're being genuine, thank you.

I was being genuine, why wouldn't I be? You do realize LECOM has 3 pathways,regular lecture, PBL, which is less intrusive time wise,and ISP, independent study. Sounds like you might thrive in that pathway,. Regardless, I'm not sure why some mandatory class work for less than 2 years is so abhorrent to you, but as I mentioned, to each their own. Being in an environment which suits your learning style is the most important. I didn't go to LECOM, but a neighbor I'm close to did, so I am somewhat familiar with it. He went on to do his ER residency in CA. I'm not sure what kind of a student you are and how much time you need, My wife was an elite student and went to class in med school to socialize, graduated in the top 10% at a major university. LECOMs board scores and match lists are quite good, so they are doing something right and students are finding the time to get things done. Wherever you go, I wish you nothing but the best.

 

[Konigstiger]

I was being genuine, why wouldn't I be? You do realize LECOM has 3 pathways,regular lecture, PBL, which is less intrusive time wise,and ISP, independent study. Sounds like you might thrive in that pathway,. Regardless, I'm not sure why some mandatory class work for less than 2 years is so abhorrent to you, but as I mentioned, to each their own.

I explained why I didn't like it multiple times. The amount of time saved or lost and the things I did or could do during that time are not things I'll ever be able to get back no matter how much money I spend. I could similarly ask why paying an extra $20k per semester is so abhorrent to you, but I won't because I know different people have different values. I can completely understand why someone would want to save that money.

Being in an environment which suits your learning style is the most important. I didn't go to LECOM, but a neighbor I'm close to did, so I am somewhat familiar with it. He went on to do his ER residency in CA. I'm not sure what kind of a student you are and how much time you need, My wife was an elite student and went to class in med school to socialize, graduated in the top 10% at a major university. LECOMs board scores and match lists are quite good, so they are doing something right and students are finding the time to get things done. Wherever you go, I wish you nothing but the best.

I don't know what the point of this part of your post is since I never once said LECOM wasn't a good DO school. But it definitely isn't the only good DO school or even the best.

And I meant no offense with my posts, so my apologies if it came off that way. Ultimately both of us have already made our decisions and I'm not paying anything for medical school anyway.

A premed arguing the importance of tuition with an attending who’s paid off their loans is similar to a high school student telling you how easy it is to crush the mcat. Your point would have more merit if you had ever done it.

Well, not a premed, but okay. Regardless, I disagree with your point. I'm sure both you and I know quite a few doctors who graduated with loans and have or are paying them off right now. My experience is based off theirs; none of them went to LECOM, and yet none of them lived like a resident for 7-10 years after residency or said anything like, "Man, I wish I had gone to LECOM for that extra cash." They're all doing fine now, even those in lower-paying specialties. Controlling for specialty choice, I doubt there's a significant difference in the standard of living between a physician who graduated from LECOM and one who didn't.

You should probably consider the possibility that the person who’s actually done the thing you’re talking about probably has a better handle on it than you do. In fact, if you begin to accept that now, it’s going to make the next 7+ years of your life much easier.

Blindly accepting the words of someone who has already done something as the undeniable truth sounds pretty naive to me. However, I do respect Angus Avogadro's opinion. I'm not going to heed his advice since I've already made my choice and aren't paying anything for medical school anyway, but there is merit to what he has said.

 

[Ho0v-man]

I explained why I didn't like it multiple times. The amount of time saved or lost and the things I did or could do during that time are not things I'll ever be able to get back no matter how much money I spend. I could similarly ask why paying an extra $20k per semester is so abhorrent to you, but I won't because I know different people have different values. I can completely understand why someone would want to save that money.

I don't know what the point of this part of your post is since I never once said LECOM wasn't a good DO school. But it definitely isn't the only good DO school or even the best.

And I meant no offense with my posts, so my apologies if it came off that way. Ultimately both of us have already made our decisions and I'm not paying anything for medical school anyway.

Well, not a premed, but okay. Regardless, I disagree with your point. I'm sure both you and I know quite a few doctors who graduated with loans and have or are paying them off right now. My experience is based off theirs; none of them went to LECOM, and yet none of them lived like a resident for 7-10 years after residency or said anything like, "Man, I wish I had gone to LECOM for that extra cash." They're all doing fine now, even those in lower-paying specialties. Controlling for specialty choice, I doubt there's a significant difference in the standard of living between a physician who graduated from LECOM and one who didn't.

Blindly accepting the words of someone who has already done something as the undeniable truth sounds pretty naive to me. However, I do respect Angus Avogadro's opinion. I'm not going to heed his advice since I've already made my choice and aren't paying anything for medical school anyway, but there is merit to what he has said.

Again, if someone in high school said they knew a bunch of people who said the mcat and boards were no big deal and pretended to be an authority on it despite no direct experience with either, you’d probably roll your eyes as hard as I am now. Although I agree that 7-10 years of living like a resident is a little hyperbolic. But this extra debt is probably an extra year or two in financial prison for most.

To the premeds reading this: $80k+ is a lot of money. It’s not everything, but it’s a lot. If you think you’d be truly miserable at LECOM, don’t do it. But too many people are willing to shrug off 6 figures of debt like it’s nothing at this stage because they’re all just so focused on getting in at all.

One would be wise to question the advice of people who may have never had any real financial responsibility. Especially when they speak with authority based on people they know who are supposedly doing just fine. Blindly accepting the advice of someone with no firsthand experience with what they’re talking about “sounds pretty naive to me.”

 

[Konigstiger]

Again, if someone in high school said they knew a bunch of people who said the mcat and boards were no big deal and pretended to be an authority on it despite no direct experience with either, you’d probably roll your eyes as hard as I am now.

Not necessarily. My experience with the MCAT is just that - my own personal experience. I'm not going to pretend like it automatically trumps everything and that conversely, I am the authority figure on the MCAT just because I took it once.

Although I agree that 7-10 years of living like a resident is a little hyperbolic. But this extra debt is probably an extra year or two in financial prison for most.

Maybe so. But my original point was not that LECOM's lower tuition makes no difference, but rather that the difference isn't as pronounced as people make it out to be.

One would be wise to question the advice of people who may have never had any real financial responsibility. Especially when they speak with authority based on people they know who are supposedly doing just fine.

One would also be wise to question the advice of people with clear biases who are posting on an anonymous internet forum lmao.

And I'm not saying that I'm the one true authority like you keep claiming. Not sure where you pulled that out from. It's very clear that I'm just offering my own individual opinion (true enough, enhanced by other actual doctors who have paid off their loans).

Blindly accepting the advice of someone with no firsthand experience with what they’re talking about “sounds pretty naive to me.”

Except I never said to blindly accept my advice, unlike you who stated that we should always defer to people who have gone through something before as if we're mindless drones incapable of forming our own opinions.

 

[Ho0v-man]

Not necessarily. My experience with the MCAT is just that - my own personal experience. I'm not going to pretend like it automatically trumps everything and that conversely, I am the authority figure on the MCAT just because I took it once.

Maybe so. But my original point was not that LECOM's lower tuition makes no difference, but rather that the difference isn't as pronounced as people make it out to be.


One would also be wise to question the advice of people with clear biases who are posting on an anonymous internet forum lmao.

And I'm not saying that I'm the one true authority like you keep claiming. Not sure where you pulled that out from. It's very clear that I'm just offering my own individual opinion (true enough, enhanced by other actual doctors who have paid off their loans).

Except I never said to blindly accept my advice, unlike you who stated that we should always defer to people who have gone through something before as if we're mindless drones incapable of forming our own opinions.

But you would likely know more about it having done it. Which is my point.

If you think a year or two more of debt repayment isn’t pronounced or significant… well okay. We likely will never agree on anything.

I never said we should always defer to others and be “mindless drones”. Here’s my exact quote “You should probably consider the possibility that the person who’s actually done the thing you’re talking about probably has a better handle on it than you do”.

I’ve made my point. You’re welcome to disagree.

 

[Konigstiger]

But you would likely know more about it having done it. Which is my point.

Would I know more than one person who has never taken it? Probably. Does that make me the expert on the MCAT? No. If that one person who hasn't taken it has done their research and consulted with other people just like me who have taken the MCAT, then who am I to say that my experience should trump all of theirs, or that I can never be wrong on any matter concerning the MCAT?

If you think a year or two more of debt repayment isn’t pronounced or significant… well okay. We likely will never agree on anything.

It is significant, I guess. Is it significant enough to always pick LECOM over any other DO school? If your answer to that question is "Yes," then that's where we disagree.

I never said we should always defer to others and be “mindless drones”. Here’s my exact quote “You should probably consider the possibility that the person who’s actually done the thing you’re talking about probably has a better handle on it than you do”.

Well, if it wasn't obvious, then yes that possibility has been considered. You took offense to my disagreement even after considering that possibility, which is why I compared it to being a mindless drone.

 

[RadDOdoc]

current M4 (DMU). School name has 0% contribution to where you match. The only thing that might impact it is if it has an easier/harder pre-clinical curriculum where your grades are impacted. Otherwise your match is completely dependent on USMLE, application, personal statement, away rotations.

LECOM Erie has its own hospital with its own programs which is a plus.

 

[MusicDOc124]

Personsally can't recommend. LECOM will get you there, but you will have a bad time in the process. You also don't want to end up in Milcreek (their hospital).

Do a search of the forums to gauge. Be mindful that MANY MANY MANY suggestions to go there are not by people who went there themselves. And of those who did go/currently go, there often seems to be a "caveat" always listed. Many more than what is discussed with other schools.

 

[petomed]

current M4 (DMU). School name has 0% contribution to where you match. The only thing that might impact it is if it has an easier/harder pre-clinical curriculum where your grades are impacted. Otherwise your match is completely dependent on USMLE, application, personal statement, away rotations.

LECOM Erie has its own hospital with its own programs which is a plus.

If LECOM students perform core rotations at LECOM's hospital, and that hospital has residency slots in the specialty the student wishes to match, then the student no longer needs to optionally rotate at said hospital in order to be on the residency program's radar. The student can then spend their away rotations at other hospitals with their desired residency, increasing their exposure.

Does this not convey increased odds to match in said specialty?

 

[RadDOdoc]

If LECOM students perform core rotations at LECOM's hospital, and that hospital has residency slots in the specialty the student wishes to match, then the student no longer needs to optionally rotate at said hospital in order to be on the residency program's radar. The student can then spend their away rotations at other hospitals with their desired residency, increasing their exposure.

Does this not convey increased odds to match in said specialty?

LECOM sends most of its students all throughout the country (Where do LECOM Students go for Rotations). The actual hospital that has residency programs which is called millcreek community only takes a small fraction of their students if any.