SOMA vs. PNWU

[DO19]

I got accepted to these two schools. I like the small class size and personal feel of both school (unlike DMU or AZCOM). I really like the systems-based curriculum at SOMA, and how they get you proficient in reaching a diagnosis. I THOUGHT I liked the early clinical exposure, but after talking to a current 2nd year at SOMA, I realize that they spend much of their "exposure" time following nurses, MAs, and techs. I've worked in a hospital for years and have already been exposed to much of this. Since it is not a true rotation/clinical learning experience, I think I would prefer a traditional model that would allow more time for board prep such as at PNWU. My main concern, however, lies in the 3rd and 4th years. Which school has better rotations? Can any current students or alumni shed some light? I got placed in the Seattle CHC at SOMA, and I'm hoping to do the Boise, ID track at PNWU (which might take me to Twin Falls, ID).

I noticed many threads that compared one of these schools to a different school, but none compared these two schools specifically (I did find one that compared these two with AZCOM, but it was from 2011 and seemed quite out of date). I am sorry if this is redundant. I am new to SDN. Thanks in advance!

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[Roxas]

I have friends at both schools, and the ones at PNWU are pretty happy there. Granted they are just first years, and as you mentioned the rotations are where it gets iffy. SOMA's curriculum is a double edged sword: some love it, some hate it.

@SLC might be able to better shed some light on SOMA

and @sylvanthus on PNWU

 

[Buddy.the.Elf]

I made this same decision this year. I got my #1 CHC choice (Seattle), but ultimately I did not feel as though the curriculum was for me. I too am hoping to get the Boise track. PNWU is changing up the curriculum this year, but I don't know exactly what that entails.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I think SOMA is either completely right for you or completely wrong for you.

PNWU is more in line with, traditional medical school. And if you think that moving around twice in a single year from one end of the country to the other is hard then it might be better for you.

When I was at SOMA I thought it wasn't going to be a good match for me purely for the basis that I felt an 11 month first year and then moving away just when you got settled wasn't going to work for me and my SO.

 

[DO19]

Thanks for the input so far. I completely agree, serenade, I would be a little worried about my first two years at SOMA just because of the excessive moving, and I am one who likes to get settled. So that is definitely something I am taking into account. Still, my main curiosity lies with the rotations. While my first two years at SOMA might be chaotic, I think the Seattle CHC site offers great rotations and education. Conversely, while I might like the traditional model at PNWU, I have heard some negatives about PNWU's rotations. I would love to hear some first-hand accounts about their rotations if any has any! Since (I assume) the last two years are more important that the first two years in the long run...

 

[SLC]

Current SOMA 4th year here. I'll answer your post by giving you a pros vs cons list (all based on my opinion/experience of course)

Pros:

1. I really really liked the clinical presentation model of the curriculum. It makes thinking through clinical problems practically effortless. Plus, the way we're taught, with all subjects integrated in each organ system block seems so logical to me. I really think that learning to approach each clinical presentation with all the subject matter in mind was huge. We got Biochem, Microbiology, Physiology, Anatomy, Pathology, Immunology, Clinical Science, Physical Medicine, OMT, etc all spread out throughout the entirety of M1 and M2, so everything we learned was taught to us in context. Obviously traditional curriculum works just fine, but I liked the way we did it because I instantly knew why everything I was learning was important and how it was applicable. I think that kept my motivation to study efficiently up.
2. The clinical presentation model and the way we got lectures on each subject at random as they applied to the organ system we were learning about meant we had to be block tested. Our exams had questions from every subject every single time (with the exception of OMM which was tested separately). This meant that our exams looked almost exactly like the USMLE and COMLEX exams. I never got the opportunity to "get into biochem mode" for an exam because my exams had everything on them. When I went to study for, and take the boards it wasn't that tough because that's how I'd studied and tested all along.
3. Early Clinical exposure was OK. This can be hit or miss I think. I got assigned to a Family Medicine practice and I did 4 hours per week there. Initially the doctor wanted me to go in and do an H&P on every patient, but it was quickly evident that I wasn't a pro at that yet and I could tell I was slowing him down. So after a few weeks I mainly shadowed, did some of the exam or procedures under supervision with the doctor. I ended up liking that better because it gave me a chance to polish the physical exam skills I had learned with some live feedback, and I also got to see a seasoned doctor at work which helped me develop a style somewhat.
4. Rotations were pretty solid overall in my experience. I had a few that weren't the best, but I had some that were so over the top unbelievably awesome that it made up for the cruddy ones. All my CORE rotations were solid, a few were exceptional. It was one or two of the electives that I would have rather not done. A lot of this is dependent on the student, but a lot depends on how much the preceptor wants to and is skilled at teaching.
5. The culture at ATSU-SOMA is pretty great too, at least it was with my class. We definitely had our gunners, but there were only a few and nobody really payed them any mind. In general people were extremely friendly, good to work with, and glad to help any way they could. Again, I think this is what you make of it. I went out of my way to be available to help people in the subjects I felt really solid in, and others did the same.
6. Most of the faculty were very approachable, and the ones that weren't have tended to not last as long. People complain a lot about the school leadership and the cost of attendance and stuff, that's bound to happen in this stressful environment and I guarantee it happens everywhere. At the end of the day, I can look back and say without hesitation that the administration and faculty had our best interests in mind. I've had one faculty member who's been emailing the class multiple times per week with residency preparation info since midway through 3rd year. I've never had to wait more than a day to hear back from faculty that I've emailed, usually no more than a few hours. They take communication and making themselves available to students very seriously at SOMA, especially since ¾ of the student body is not on campus at any given point in time.

Cons:

1. Leaving my classmates after M1 was not ideal. I had a few close friends that went to other CHC sites and I've been left to phone/email/text to stay in touch. Some people I've lost all contact with completely. It's not the biggest deal since with very few exceptions these are people I met during M1, but we went through a lot that year, we were rookies in medical school dealing with a lot of stress, and that caused some of us to become good friends pretty quickly.
2. I have occasionally struggled with sufficiently broad differentials to appease my preceptors. I place a lot of blame for this on the clinical presentation model. I'll catch myself sorta ruling a few things out based on history or physical findings that preceptors don't expect a student to catch on to. When I explain myself they are either impressed or tell me to be careful eliminating possibilities too early. It's something I've had to work on when presenting patients.
3. Moving after M1 was not the funnest thing in the world. I moved 24 hours away (by car) from Phoenix, and the cost as well as the stress of getting set up in a new town in just a few weeks time was something I could have done without. But it worked out in the end and I really liked the new town (Portland, OR).
4. Certain CHC's may involve travel for some rotations. Mine had rotations (not necessarily required ones) in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. I was able to stay in Oregon and southern Washington though. Still, travel involves expense so keep that in mind.

At the end of the day, perhaps the biggest endorsement or condemnation I could give to the school is stating whether or not I'd attend again if given the chance knowing what I know now. I can honestly say that I would do it all again. The things I've seen and done and learned while attending SOMA have been amazing; it's been a long 3.75 years, but it's also been fun and I've enjoyed all of it. I can recommend the school without hesitation.

Best of luck deciding.

 

[SLC]

And if you have specific questions about the rotations, just ask and I'll do my best to answer them. I can't speak to the rotations in Seattle specifically, but I'll do what I can.

 

[Salayshus]

Interesting info

 

[Salayshus]

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[DO19]

Thanks SLC. That was very insightful. Specifically in your second year, did you dislike the distance learning? Also, did you feel like you had less time to study for your boards because of the added clinical hours/distance learning/being "away" from school/new setting?

 

[manotter]

I got accepted to these two schools. I like the small class size and personal feel of both school (unlike DMU or AZCOM). I really like the systems-based curriculum at SOMA, and how they get you proficient in reaching a diagnosis. I THOUGHT I liked the early clinical exposure, but after talking to a current 2nd year at SOMA, I realize that they spend much of their "exposure" time following nurses, MAs, and techs. I've worked in a hospital for years and have already been exposed to much of this. Since it is not a true rotation/clinical learning experience, I think I would prefer a traditional model that would allow more time for board prep such as at PNWU. My main concern, however, lies in the 3rd and 4th years. Which school has better rotations? Can any current students or alumni shed some light? I got placed in the Seattle CHC at SOMA, and I'm hoping to do the Boise, ID track at PNWU (which might take me to Twin Falls, ID).

I noticed many threads that compared one of these schools to a different school, but none compared these two schools specifically (I did find one that compared these two with AZCOM, but it was from 2011 and seemed quite out of date). I am sorry if this is redundant. I am new to SDN. Thanks in advance!

I am a current student at the Seattle CHC.

During the second year exposure you spend 4 hours per week with a family medicine physician and then 4 hours per week following someone else. In the beginning of the year that someone else is a MA once so that you understand what they do, a lab technician a few times to practice drawing blood and doing injections. Beyond that the 4 hours tend to be with a family medicine or pediatrics physician.

The core rotations during third year involve hands on opportunities where the amount that you learn and do will depend on you. If you want to do procedures, write notes, present etc then that will depend on your initiative. If you feel like hanging out for the most part, you can do that too for the most part. The rotations are mostly in South King County with a few of them else where, which housing is provided. There are a couple of opportunities for the core rotations to be at teaching hospitals, but they are mostly at community hospitals. The cores are more difficult to find and will require a lot of work, especially if you want to stay in the Seattle area. I cannot speak too much to the rotations at PNWU, so I will not comment.

If you have more specific questions feel free to ask.

 

[Salayshus]

And if you have specific questions about the rotations, just ask and I'll do my best to answer them. I can't speak to the rotations in Seattle specifically, but I'll do what I can.

Hey, I interviewed at Soma and awaiting a response. I am really interested in the Portland CHC, but still want to knowmore about it. Was it busy with lots going on regarding patients? How do you feel it prepared you for your rotations and residency? Was the area nice regarding living, people, city etc. Plus the traveling around the northwest seemed so interesting, Any inside helpful info on that could help too.

Sorry for all of the questions. I'm just pretty confused as to where I want to go if I do get accepted. Thank you!!