TCOM vs. GW

[applicant00001]

TCOM (pre-matched)
Pros

• insanely cheap (in-state resident, something like $13k tuition + $6k fees per year)
• top DO school

Cons

• DO stigma (at the moment I am not sure which specialty I want to go into... I have loved my experiences shadowing IM cards, psych, as well as rads, but I understand that being a DO can make it challenging to match competitively...)
• too close to home for my liking, I would like to be outside of Texas one day

GW
Pros

• MD
• I would like to be involved in health policy/academic medicine one day, so of course, DC is the best spot to do so.

Cons

• insanely expensive (I would have to take out loans to cover the cost, $$$67k tuition...)
• Although outside of TX, I don't particularly like the DC area

Please tell me what you think, thank you!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[californiadreamin23]

TCOM. TCOM is one of the most respected DO schools, with a long track record of matching stellar applicants to competitive specialties. Of course, GW is a fine place as well, but no debt >>>> a lot of debt.

 

[m1redsox]

TCOM is a fine school for great price, but if you are interested in academics, unfortunately the reputation of your school (and residency program you train at) does matter. I would choose GW. Plus, on the off chance that you want something more competitive, like rads, it will be easier from GW. TCOM's match history is good for a DO school, but it is definitely not as good as GW's.

Besides, most academic attendings I know end up doing public service loan forgiveness. I don't normally make this point, but in the argument of MD vs DO for someone interested in academics, I think it's a justification to choose the pricey, prestigious school.

 

[Promised_Consort]

GW no brainer. MD has more opportunities to match better than DO. The match statistics speak for themselves. Loans are just going to be a temporary setback but you’ll be able to pay them off down the road. I wouldn’t lock yourself out of having the opportunity to potentially match better, in the event that you aim for more competitive specialties.

 

[obiwan]

Not trying to start some MD vs DO debate, but realistically, if you have any desire to match into programs like IM at Brigham and Women's, ophthalmology at Wills Eye, orthopedic surgery at Hospital for Special Surgery (so basically top tier training programs for uber-competitive specialties), then you really need to go allopathic.

 

[MDMechEngr]

TCOM is calling you. GO FOR IT!

 

[PalaceLover]

TCOM matches heavily into Texas but matches really well. It is not a P/F curriculum however and you have OMM taking up time every week. Can't go wrong with either choice. TCOM is worth picking over some MDs but I'm not sure if GW is one of those schools. Cards and Rads you definitely want to go MD. TCOM did not match any Rads last year and it was a bloodbath match even for MDs. Psych or any Primary care including Gen Surg you'll be totally fine at TCOM. If you work hard and match to a competitive speciality, you'll have no issues paying off the GW debt. I think of it like TCOM is the safer option but if you want the greater reward you have to take the greater risk (financially, go OOS, etc.). Congrats!

 

[MDMechEngr]

.

 

[applicant00001]

TCOM matches heavily into Texas but matches really well. It is not a P/F curriculum however and you have OMM taking up time every week. Can't go wrong with either choice. TCOM is worth picking over some MDs but I'm not sure if GW is one of those schools. Cards and Rads you definitely want to go MD. TCOM did not match any Rads last year and it was a bloodbath match even for MDs. Psych or any Primary care including Gen Surg you'll be totally fine at TCOM. If you work hard and match to a competitive speciality, you'll have no issues paying off the GW debt. I think of it like TCOM is the safer option but if you want the greater reward you have to take the greater risk (financially, go OOS, etc.). Congrats!

Thank you! By any chance, do you know if TCOM just didn't have people apply to rads last year or if they all failed to match?

 

[PalaceLover]

Thank you! By any chance, do you know if TCOM just didn't have people apply to rads last year or if they all failed to match?

I would think with a class size of 230+, at least a few applied Rads but its possible no one did, I can't say sorry.