Thoughts, Advice on UNE and U.Vermont

[SpiritiualDuck]

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Hi guys, I'm gotten a few acceptances. I'm a MA resident now. I applied to New England schools. Originally from NYC.


I'm in a three schools, 2 MD and 1 DO.

I'm leaning toward UNE. I really like it there. It's a good school. The other school that i like is UVM. I like UVM because of it's focuse on rural medicine. I want to be a family doc. The differences between MD and DO mean nothing to me. I've heard the debates on both sides. My family doc, a DO, told me yesterday that UNE is a great place, but that if given the chance he would have gone MD. He believes that it will just make this easier. I really don't see much of a differnce between UNE and UVM, both value non-traditional students, I'm in my late 20's, both have a focus on primary care and both are located in NewEngland. I'm actually just thinking location now, Vermont or coastal Maine.

Any thoughts from current students would be great, other things I should consider.
Thanks

 

[LP1CW]

Go MD. It's that simple.

Look at the matchlist for UVM. It's not bad. UNE does okay, one or two people get a good match, but given the choice between an MD and a DO with same stats, residency director will choose MD. So, give yourself the added advantage.

The weather in Vermont is cold. I hope you like the slopes. Maine is nice. Biddeford isn't. Burlington is.

 

[Buster Douglas]

Originally posted by LP1CW
...given the choice between an MD and a DO with same stats, residency director will choose MD.

Not necessarily true...

Anyway, if you're talking location alone, I'd rather be in Burlington.

 

[johnsonamj]

Hi Spiritual Duck,

I am in the same boat as you are. I have acceptances at UVM and VCOM. I actually turned down an interview at UNE because Biddeford just doesn't quite do it for me (or my husband who is from Mass. originally.) We are trying to decide between UVM and VCOM. Both schools and both locations have so much to offer that we are having a tough decision.

I have a couple of friends at both places and they all love where they are. I think it is what you make out of your education that will determine the best place for you.

Good luck!

 

[bigmuny]

Take the MD spot unless you have some reason that would make it a serious hardship to go to the MD school. There is nothing wrong with UNE, but your FP is right.

 

[oceandoc]

Just because intown Biddeford is not the nicest town (and by that I mean there are maybe one or two blocks that are kind of rundown) doesn't mean that where UNE students live isn't nice. You don't have to live in "the Biddo". Most of my classmates and I live on the water, or in other towns nearby.

I totally love Burlington, too, and was bummed when I didn't get in. However, I think UNECOM is great and I actually feel really lucky that I ended up here instead. We're so close to Portland (I LOVE portland, it is like burlington only bigger and has better restraunts), so close to Boston, and on the water. if you want to do FP in a rural area...that's what UNECOM is all about. That's esentially why it exists, to produce FPs who will stay in rural New England, esp Maine. The maine osteopathic association is big on setting us up with community docs in the areas as mentors, and the other DOs in the area (which there are a lot of), UNE alum or not, are very excited to help.

I also can't say enough good things about the faculty I've had so far at UNECOM. With the exception of one guy (who is on the verge of retiring), they all have been truly outstanding. Our anatomy lab and program are some of the best, our pharm course director wrote the book on antibiotics, the OMM faculty are great, and the rest of the guys made us work so hard and learn more than I ever thought I could put into my brain (this is a good thing, in retrospect). Plus, for the most part everyone is very helpful to everyone else here...the second year class is constantly holding reviews for us.

FP is a specialty where it does not matter if you are an MD or a DO. Don't listen to those other guys. DOs get into plenty of good FP residencies. We had someone from the BU FP residency here last week practically begging us to apply to their program. And, as someone who was a total OMM sceptic coming into Osteopathic Medical school, in the long run you will be incredibly glad that you went to a school where you learned these extra diagnostic and treatment techniques. OMM is just another treatment option, and I've seen FPs that are really fulfilled when someone comes in with random back/shoulder/hip pain and they are able to do a some OMM and help them, right there in the office, without having to prescribe meds or something: these docs really like what they do.

 

[LP1CW]

I think you should visit both schools again, now that you're not under the stress of interviewing. Narrowing down which school that I wanted to attend wasn't easy either.

THe way I look at it. If you are definitely going to do family medicine, then it won't matter. BUt if you think you might change your mind and want to do a speciality, then you should go MD. It may give you an advantage. I know that DO's that are in all areas of medicine, but most fields are and will continue to be dominated by MD's.

I too am struggling with this decision. I'm in a DO school and MD programs. I've chose an MD school that i really want. Either way, you're going to do what you want to do. You'll be a doctor.

 

[OH58D]

The MD vs DO horse is dead... put down the whip and step away. Go to school where it feels right for you. If you want to do FP, terrific!!! But if you decide you want to specialize in pinky finger plastic surgery, you can!! Even as a DO (say it isn't so)!!! Is it easier to get the derm, ENT, ortho AMA slots as an MD...... sure, BUT even that depends on which MD school you attend. List out that factors that are important to YOU (and your spouse if applicable), and grade both schools. Again, the bottomline is: pick the school that is the right fit for you. Good luck...
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