UICOM vs. MSU CHM vs. Belmont

[lily12]

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Hi everyone! I’m currently deciding between three MD schools and would love any insight! I am OOS for all three schools. I don’t have a specialty in mind yet, but I do think it’s important to choose a school that will help me to be a competitive applicant for a competitive specialty if that’s what I end up wanting to pursue. All three schools have steep costs of attendance so that is not really something I’m factoring in to compare them!

UICOM Peoria
Pros

• Well-established, respected state institution
• Research-heavy institution
• Great match list
• Ties to large academic centers

Cons

• Peoria campus :/

MSU CHM
Pros

• Shared Discovery Curriculum (no traditional high-stakes exams)
• Flipped classroom
• M1/M2 student appear to be less stressed from the lack of exams

Cons

• No large, centralized academic hospital (have to do away rotations for competitive specialties)
• Match list is not as strong as UICOM
• Less research opportunities

Belmont
Pros

• Absolutely STUNNING facilities
• Located in Nashville!!
• Strong emphasis on student wellbeing (50 students/class) and tight-knit community

Cons

• Very new school
• Prelim accreditation until inaugural class graduates
• Lack of established connection with residency programs
• Limited research opportunities and specialty support

Summary: UICOM seems to offer the strongest network and resources for competitive residencies and research, however, the location is not ideal. Belmont has started strong and demonstrates great quality of life for students (in Nashville!), but there are risks with a newer institution. MSU CHM’s curriculum seems best fit for me as a poor test taker, but it does not have a large centralized academic hospital.

 

[bankedsynapse]

I would probably choose in the order you listed, personally. I'm not familiar with Peoria but unless you truly think you will hate your life there, UICOM seems like the best option. The strong ties for clinical activities are a big plus in my opinion compared to the others.

 

[lily12]

I would probably choose in the order you listed, personally. I'm not familiar with Peoria but unless you truly think you will hate your life there, UICOM seems like the best option. The strong ties for clinical activities are a big plus in my opinion compared to the others.

thank you!! I appreciate the input

 

[cytomegalovirus123]

• No large, centralized academic hospital (have to do away rotations for competitive specialties)
• Match list is not as strong as UICOM
• Less research opportunities

Henry Ford and Corewell health are MSUs home programs for even the competitive specialties. I believe for orthopedics 3-4 M4s from the previous year matched at corewell Butterworth for orthopedics. The school offers a research matching program for students to connect with faculty and to conduct research. Very easy to find research at MSU. lmk if you have any other questions. Would also edit this to say for generally most medical schools you absolutely SHOULD do away rotations if you are planning to do anything competitive.

 

[cytomegalovirus123]

Also would add that I know students who chose MSU CHM over UICOM. The match list for CHM is not public, so it would be hard to grasp how a school has a better edge. I have access to the match list and both schools are pretty comparable. You need to do away rotations for all competitive specialties. We have home programs for many of the competitive specialties.